Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear layer covering the white of the eye and inner eyelid, caused by viral infection and producing a pink or reddish appearance of the eye ^[3]. It represents the predominant infectious form of conjunctivitis in adults, with adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and herpes viruses among the common causative agents ^[3][4].

Affected eyes may show pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness with increased tearing and a watery discharge that is frequently serofibrinous ^[3][4]. Preauricular lymph node swelling can occur, and eye pain may be present if the cornea is involved ^[4]. The infection often begins in one eye and may spread to the other, and it is commonly associated with upper respiratory symptoms such as a cold or sore throat ^[3][4].

Viral conjunctivitis comprises roughly 80% of conjunctivitis cases in adults and under 20% in children, with 65% to 90% of viral cases attributed to adenoviruses ^[3]. Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, caused by enterovirus 70 or coxsackievirus A24, was first identified in Ghana in 1969 and has since caused multiple worldwide epidemics ^[3]. Between three and six million people in the United States acquire acute conjunctivitis annually, most of which improve within one to two weeks ^[3].

Viral conjunctivitis spreads easily from person to person, often through direct contact, and may be acquired through contact with another person who has a red eye ^[3][4]. Strict personal hygiene including frequent handwashing and sanitation of surfaces is important to limit spread ^[5][4]. The infection usually starts in one eye but can readily transfer to the other ^[3].

Prevention relies partly on handwashing and strict personal hygiene to reduce transmission risk ^[3][5]. Prompt diagnosis, hand hygiene compliance, and surface sanitization are emphasized as crucial control measures ^[4]. Avoiding contact with affected individuals and maintaining hygiene are practical public-health approaches ^[3][5].

1. 1 Azari AA et al. Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment. JAMA. 2013 Oct 23. PMID: 24150468. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.280318. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24150468/
2. 2 Shunmugam M et al. An Update on Viral Conjunctivitis Treatment Strategies: A Narrative Literature Review. Microorganisms. 2025 Jul 22. PMID: 40871219. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13081712. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40871219/
3. 3 Wikipedia contributors. Conjunctivitis - Wikipedia [Internet]. Wikipedia. cited 3 Sept 2026. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitis
4. 4 Muto T et al. Viral Conjunctivitis. Viruses. 2023 Mar 4. PMID: 36992385. doi: 10.3390/v15030676. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36992385/
5. 5 Winters S et al. Conjunctivitis: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2024 Aug. PMID: 39172671. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39172671/