- BACTERIA
- Causative agents: Haemophilus influenzae & Streptococcus pneumoniae
Signs & Symptoms:
1) increased tears, red & swollen conjunctiva, sensitivity to light, large amounts of pus
2) Severe earache, sometimes producing vomiting; sometimes fever
3) Facial pain and pressure in sinus area, headache, severe malaise, thick green nasal discharge & sometimes pus and blood
Pathogenesis: direct contact and droplet infection of eyes or nose
Epidemiology: carriers can reach 80% in the absence of disease; virulence of bacteria, crowding, and levels of respiratory viruses are all important factors.
Treatment: strain specific antibiotic drops for pink-eye; amoxicillin for the other two (decongestants and antihistamines are not recommended)
Other: Earache is common between 2 mos and 5 years, when most become immune to H. influenzae. Sinusitis typically occurs on older children and adults.