Some childhood illnesses have almost disappeared due to routine immunisation: Poliomyelitis (polio) Whooping cough Diphtheria Other infections are more common in adolescents and young adults: Infectious mononucleosis (Glandular fever) Rubella (German measles)
Topical antibiotic drops or ointment (e.g. chloromycetin) or povidone-iodine drops are used for a few days. If there is marked swelling of the eyelids, give intramuscular ceftriaxone daily for 3 days. 1% chloromycetin eye ointment, 1% tetracycline eye ointment or 2.5% povidone-iodine aqueous solution are used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Tetracycline and povidone-iodine can also [...]
It may involve one or both eyes. The conjunctivae become red and swollen. With viral conjunctivitis there is a watery discharge. With bacterial conjunctivitis the discharge may become purulent (yellow pus) and the eyelashes stick together. Allergic conjunctivitis is very itchy. Sudden onset of pain and redness of the conjunctiva in one eye suggests a [...]
Acute conjunctivitis is common and highly infectious. Usually it is caused by a virus (e.g. adenovirus) but it may be bacterial (e.g. Staphylococcus). Acute conjunctivitis may occur in outbreaks in schools. Measles, tickbite fever and tuberculosis may also cause acute conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis due to allergy may be recurrent or chronic, and is usually associated with [...]
