Conjunctivitis is a common disease in babies. Usually benign, it can be viral or bacterial. What are the characteristic symptoms? How to treat it? Can we prevent it? Answers.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the eye. Inflammation can spread to the inner corner of the eye (the end towards the nose), which is called the conjunctival cul-de-sac. In babies, it is most often caused by a virus or bacteria. 

Baby wakes up with red eyes, tears, swollen or even stuck eyelids, and rub their eyes? These are the signs of conjunctivitis. A baby with conjunctivitis may also be a bit grumpy from the itchy eyes. In contrast, conjunctivitis does not cause pain or fever. 

To know if the conjunctivitis is of viral or bacterial origin, it is necessary to observe the appearance of the tear secretions.

In the case of viral conjunctivitis, the secretions are rather transparent or light yellow. In bacterial conjunctivitis, the secretions look like pus: they are thick and yellow in color, and may turn green. Namely that in bacterial conjunctivitis, tearing is continuous and thick throughout the day. If the infection is of viral origin, the color of the secretions may change over the day (they clear up).

Viral conjunctivitis

There is no specific treatment for viral conjunctivitis. This usually goes away within a few days. However, you can relieve the symptoms with regular and thorough cleaning of your child’s eyes. Several times a day, pass a sterile woven compress soaked in physiological saline over the baby’s eye. Start from the inner corner of the eye to go to the outer corner to remove the contaminated secretions. To make the treatment more effective, wash your nose first. Secretions from the eyes flow into the nose, so it is best to unblock it before new secretions enter the nasal cavities. 

In addition, you can also:

• gently massage the inner corner of the eye to empty the tear duct and prevent stagnation of germs. 
• apply disinfectant eye drops (eye drops).

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic eye drops prescribed by a doctor. Please note that antibiotic treatment does not replace regular cleaning of the eyes and nose. This should be done at least 4 times a day. 

In the vast majority of cases, conjunctivitis in babies is either viral or bacterial. But beware, it can also be caused by the herpes virus, a virus that is potentially serious in young children because it can be the cause of neurological disorders. If your child cries a lot and seems to be in great pain, see a doctor urgently to check that it is not the herpes virus or keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea.

Less serious, otitis can also be the cause of heavy crying (especially at night) in children with conjunctivitis. With the eyes, nose and ears connected, an infection of the eyes or nose can develop into an ear infection. 

There are simple hygiene measures to limit the risk of contamination:

• wash your hands and your baby’s hands regularly with soap and water or a hydroalcoholic solution if you don’t have soap and water nearby
• avoid face-to-face kisses and hugs with your baby if you yourself have conjunctivitis or if you have a cold sore (herpes virus). 
• use disposable tissues.
• change the bathroom linen every day. 
• wash your hands before and after each baby care.

If the conjunctivitis recurs in your child, see a doctor. This may be due to a tear duct that is too narrow or an obstruction of the tear ducts preventing the normal flow of secretions from the eyes (this abnormality usually goes away before the age of three months).