Eye infection in kids

Overview Encephalitis (en-sef-uh-LIE-tis) is inflammation of the brain. There are several causes, including viral infection, autoimmune inflammation, bacterial infection, insect bites and others. When inflammation is caused by an infection in the brain, it's known as infectious encephalitis. And when it's caused by your own immune system attacking the brain, it's known as autoimmune encephalitis. Sometimes there is no known cause. Bulging fontanel One of the major signs of encephalitis in infants is bulging of the soft spots (fontanels) of the baby's skull. Pictured here is the anterior fontanel. Other fontanels are found on the sides and back of an infant's head. Encephalitis may cause many different symptoms including confusion, personality changes, seizures or problems with movement. Encephalitis also may cause changes in sight or hearing. Most people with infectious encephalitis have flu-like symptoms, such as: • Headache. • Fever. • Aches in muscles or joints. • Fatigue or weakness. Typically, these are followed by more-severe symptoms over a period of hours to days, such as: • Stiff neck. • Confusion, agitation or hallucinations. • Seizures. • Loss of sensation or being unable to move certain areas of the face or body. • Irregular movements. • Muscle weakness. • Problems with speech or hearing. • Loss of consciousness, including coma. In infants and young children, signs and symptoms also might include: • Bulging in the soft spots of an infant's skull, known as fonta...

Haemophilus Influenzae Infections in Children What is Haemophilus influenzae in children? Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a group of bacteria that can cause different types of infections in babies and children. H. influenzae most often cause ear, eye, or sinus infections. They also cause pneumonia. A strain of the bacteria that causes more serious disease is called H. influenzae type b. The type b strain is now rare in the U.S. because of the Hib vaccine. Before widespread vaccination, significant disease occurred in as many as 130 out of 100,000 kids. That rate is now less than 1 out of 100,000 children. The type b strain caused many cases of infection of the membranes that surround the brain (meningitis). It also caused a life-threatening infection called epiglottitis. This is infection of the part of the throat that covers and protects the voice box and windpipe (trachea) during swallowing. In rare cases, a child may still get an H. influenzae type b infection. This is more likely to occur in a child who has not finished the series of vaccines. Or it can occur in an older child who did not get the vaccine as a baby. Children who travel to other countries may also be at risk. This is because not all children around the world get the Hib vaccine. Most cases of H. influenzae that occur today are due to the non-type b strains of the bacteria. What causes H. influenza in a child? The H. influenzae bacteria live in the nose, sinuses, and throat. They are often sprea...

• • • • • • Do I have an eye infection? An eye infection can happen when bacteria, viruses or fungi invade part of the eye or its surrounding area. This includes the clear front surface of the eye ( Many eye infections go away on their own or with simple treatment. Less commonly, an eye infection can be very serious and require immediate medical attention. Eye infection symptoms The symptoms of an eye infection depend on the underlying cause and can include: • • Eye pain • • Watery eyes • • • • Swelling around the eyes • Itching • Anytime you suspect an eye infection, you should always visit an If you experience eye infection symptoms and wear Causes and types of eye infections Common eye infections include: Pink eye One of the most common types of eye infection is conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye. Infectious Besides common pink eye, other viral eye infections include Stye A Styes happen when something blocks an eyelid oil gland, leading to a small, but uncomfortable, bacterial infection. Most styes can be treated using A not a bacterial infection, and usually occurs further away from the edge of the eyelid. Fungal keratitis The outbreak was associated with the fungi Fusarium, often found in organic matter. This and other fungi can invade the eye in other ways, such as a penetrating injury caused by a tree branch. Acanthamoeba keratitis Contact lens wearers are at increased risk of encountering parasites that can invade the eye and cause a serious sight-thre...

Parents of a toddler or young child understand how easy it is for something “wrong” to develop overnight. Everything can look fine when you put your child to bed, then they wake up with swollen eyes the next morning. Note: It’s not the eyes but the eyelids that are swollen. The In the event a toddler wakes up with While swelling of your child’s eyelids is not something to ignore, it’s fairly simple to assess the swelling and determine how to proceed with treatment. Seeking prompt care from an eye doctor is usually the best thing to do if you are uncertain about the cause of your toddler’s swollen eyelids. Read on to learn what to look for when your toddler has swollen eyelids, how to apply that information to discover the cause and what treatment best may best suit your child’s condition. What to look for when your toddler’s eyes are swollen When examining your child’s swollen eyelids, there are a few things to ask yourself to help determine the potential cause of the swelling: • How serious is the eyelid swelling? • • Mild: Eyelids are slightly swollen, but the eyes open normally • Moderate: Eyelids are noticeably swollen and the eyes open only partially • Severe: Eyes are swollen shut • Is the • Are both eyes swollen or only one of them? • Are any other parts of the face/body swollen? • Is there • Is your child rubbing the eye? If your child’s SEE RELATED: What could be causing your toddler’s swollen eyes? Getting to the bottom of what’s causing your child’s swollen eyel...

Pink eye is a common eye infection that causes inflammation of the tissues lining the eyelid (conjunctiva). It’s caused by allergens, irritants, bacteria and viruses, such as coronaviruses that cause the common cold or COVID-19. Treatment depends on the specific cause and includes eye drops, ointments, pills, water flushes and comfort care. Overview What does pink eye look like? The white of your eye will be light pink to reddish and you might have puffiness, crusting or fluid (discharge) coming from your eye. What is pink eye (conjunctivitis)? Pink eye is an inflammation (redness) of the conjunctiva, the clear tissue that lines the inside surface of your eyelid and outer coating of your The medical name for pink eye is conjunctivitis. You can get pink eye in one or both eyes. What does pink eye look like? In an eye with pink eye, the white part looks light pink to reddish and your eyelids are puffy or droopy. You might see fluid (discharge) coming from the infected eye or crusting on your eyelashes and eyelids. What’s the difference between pink eye and a stye? Both pink eye and a A stye is a red, painful bump that forms either on or inside your eyelid near the edge of your eyelashes. Pink eye is an inflammation of the lining of the inside surface of your eyelid and outer coating of your eye. Pink eye doesn’t cause bumps in your eyelid or around your eye. Styes are caused by an infection in the oil glands on your eyelid. Pink eye is caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My grandson had a virus with flu symptoms. Then one of his eyes got very red, but it wasn’t itchy or mattered shut. When my daughter took him to the doctor, she was told it was the virus settling in his eye. But it wasn’t pink eye. What’s the difference between this type of eye infection and pink eye? Are the treatments different? ANSWER: The two conditions you mention are both eye infections, and they are actually also both forms of pink eye. The difference is that the type of infection your grandson had is caused by a virus. The other is caused by bacteria. Viral eye infections typically do not require any treatment. Bacterial eye infections are usually treated with antibiotic eye drops. Eye infections are common, especially in children. As in your grandson’s case, they often happen when a child has a cold. Both viral eye infections and bacterial eye infections are called The term “pink eye,” however, is most often associated with the bacterial infection. It causes most of the symptoms people tend to think of when they hear about pink eye: yellow discharge, pus that causes the eyelids to stick together, and puffy eyelids. A viral eye infection does not lead to drainage or pus in and around the eye. Its main symptom is eye redness. Viral pink eye usually lasts as long as a cold: typically up to one to two weeks. No treatment is necessary. Because it is not caused by bacteria, antibiotic eye drops do not help this type of eye infection. Children with vira...

Cellulitis of the Eye in Children What is cellulitis of the eye in children? Cellulitis is a serious type of infection and inflammation. It can occur in different parts of the body. When it occurs in the eyelid and tissues in the front part of the eye area, it’s called pre-septal cellulitis. When it occurs in tissues behind and around the eyeball (orbit), it’s called orbital cellulitis. Both of these conditions are serious. If your child has either one, he or she needs medical treatment right away. What causes cellulitis of the eye in a child? The most common cause of cellulitis of the eye is an infection with bacteria. Often the exact bacteria are hard to identify. Common bacteria that cause cellulitis of the eye socket include: • Staphylococcus aureus • Streptococcus pyogenes • Haemophilus influenzae The bacteria can get into the eye area in many different ways. The two most common ways are: • Injury. An injury to the eye can lead to infection from the bacteria. • Infection near the eyes. Most often, the infection begins in the sinuses. The sinuses are air-filled areas formed by the bones of the face. There are sinuses above and below the eye area. Which children are at risk for cellulitis of the eye? A child is more at risk of cellulitis of the eye if he or she has had either of these: • An injury to the eye area • A sinus infection What are the symptoms of cellulitis of the eye in a child? Symptoms of cellulitis of the eye can occur a bit differently in each child. The...

Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the soft tissues and fat that hold the eye in its socket. This condition causes uncomfortable or painful symptoms. It’s not contagious, and anyone can develop the condition. However, it most commonly affects young children. Orbital cellulitis is a potentially dangerous condition. When left untreated, it can lead to blindness, or serious or life-threatening conditions. Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common types of bacteria that cause this condition. However, other bacterial strains and fungi can also be the cause of this condition. Orbital cellulitis in children ages 9 and under is usually caused by only one type of bacteria. In older children and adults, this infection can be caused by multiple strains of bacteria simultaneously, making it harder to treat. This condition can also spread from a tooth infection or a bacterial infection occurring anywhere in the body that enters the blood stream. Wounds, bug bites, and animal bites that occur in or near the eye may also be the cause. Symptoms are the same in both children and adults. However, children may display more severe symptoms. Symptoms include: • protruding eye, which may be severe, also called • • nasal tenderness • swelling of the eye area • inflammation and redness • inability to open the eye • trouble moving the eye and pain upon movement of the eye • • vision loss or impaired vision • discharge from the eye or nose • • Orbital cellulitis is ofte...

If you’ve noticed some pain, swelling, itching, or redness in your eye, you likely have an eye infection. Eye infections fall into three specific categories based on their cause: viral, bacterial, or fungal, and each is treated differently. The good news is eye infections aren’t hard to spot, so you can seek treatment quickly. Here’s everything you need to know about the eight most common eye infections so you can figure out the cause and what to do about it. Infectious As a result, your eyes become pink or red, and inflamed. It can also result from allergies or exposure to chemicals, like chlorine, in swimming pools. Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or virus is extremely contagious. You can still spread it up to two weeks after the infection starts. Take note of any of the following symptoms and see your doctor as soon as possible for treatment: • reddish or pinkish tint to your eyes • watery discharge from your eyes that’s thickest when you wake up • itchiness or feeling like there’s something constantly in your eyes • producing more tears than usual, especially in only one eye You’ll likely need the following treatments depending on which type of conjunctivitis you have: • Bacterial: Antibiotic eye drops, ointments, or oral medications to help kill bacteria in your eyes. After starting antibiotics, symptoms fade in a couple of days. • Viral: No treatment exists. Symptoms tend to fade after 7 to 10 days. Apply a clean, warm, wet cloth to your eyes to relieve discomfort,...

So many parents have woken up and notice it, and others have been called by their child’s school stating that their child has it. We are talking about “pink eye.” On this week’s On Call for All Kids, What is pink eye and what causes it? Pink eye is one of those terms in medicine that is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a pink or red eye. In medical terms, we call it conjunctivitis. It happens when the surface of the eye has inflammation just like any other part of the body can get inflamed, but the difference is that it is very easy to see and often causes a considerable amount of concerns for parents. The causes for conjunctivitis or redness in the eyes are varied and can be due to an infection caused by bacteria or a virus, allergies, an irritant or foreign body in the eye or from trauma to the eye. You mentioned an injury to the eye, irritants or a foreign body leading to pink eye. That sounds painful. Could you tell us about this cause of a pink or red eye? The surface of the eye is sensitive and will get inflamed if you get poked in the eye or some other injury happens that scratches the surface of the eye. Another irritant could be sand or another small particle that can get in the eye and irritates the surface of the eye. I have seen dirt, sawdust and even a small piece of metal that has gotten into a patient’s eye. These situations are often very painful and your child will often want to keep his or her eye closed after it happens. When compared to an infection in...