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Counseling and Referral
Î Counseling is imperative for all contagious varieties of conjunctivitis to
minimize or prevent spread of the disease in the community. (III, I, D)
Î Hand-washing is important to reduce the risk of transmission of viral
infection. (III, G, S)
Î Return to school or work depends on the age of the patient,
occupation, and type and severity of conjunctivitis. (III, I, D)
Î When conjunctivitis is associated with sexually transmitted disease,
treatment of sexual partners is essential to minimize recurrence and
spread of the disease. (III, G, S)
Î Patients as well as their sexual partners should be referred to an
appropriate medical specialist. (III, G, S)
Î The physician must remain alert to the possibility of child abuse in
cases of potentially sexually transmitted ocular disease in children.
(III, G, S)
Î In cases of ophthalmia neonatorum due to gonococcus, chlamydia,
and herpes simplex virus (HSV), the infant should be referred to an
appropriate specialist.
(III, G, S)
Î Infants who require systemic treatment are best managed in
conjunction with a pediatrician. (III, I, D)
Î When conjunctivitis appears to be a manifestation of systemic disease,
patients should be referred for evaluation by an appropriate medical
specialist. (III, G, S)
