Question

Bacterial vs viral conjunctivitis is best differentiated from one another by?

Answer 1

Bacterial conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis can be differentiated based on discharge, symptoms, and treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bacterial conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis can be differentiated from each other based on several factors:

1. Discharge: Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by a thick, sticky discharge, while viral conjunctivitis produces a more watery discharge.
2. Symptoms: Bacterial conjunctivitis often causes eye pain, redness, and sometimes blurred vision, whereas viral conjunctivitis may present with fever and itchy eyes.
3. Treatment: Antibiotics are effective in treating bacterial conjunctivitis, but viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotic treatment. Viral conjunctivitis usually resolves on its own within a week or two.

These differences can help healthcare providers diagnose and differentiate between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis.