Which finding is most typical of bacterial conjunctivitis?

Which finding is most typical of bacterial conjunctivitis?

• A. Purulent discharge
• B. Watery discharge
• C. No discharge
• D. Severe pain

Answer: (A)

Purulent discharge from the eye is the hallmark feature of bacterial conjunctivitis. The infection causes pus-producing inflammation of the conjunctiva, so the eye often looks red with thick, sticky, yellow-green discharge that crusts the eyelashes, especially after sleep. This thick discharge differs from other causes: viral conjunctivitis usually has watery discharge and may show preauricular lymph node swelling, while allergic conjunctivitis tends to cause itching with a ropy, stringy discharge. Severe eye pain points away from uncomplicated conjunctivitis and toward more serious problems like corneal involvement. So the presence of thick, purulent discharge best matches bacterial conjunctivitis.

Purulent discharge from the eye is the hallmark feature of bacterial conjunctivitis. The infection causes pus-producing inflammation of the conjunctiva, so the eye often looks red with thick, sticky, yellow-green discharge that crusts the eyelashes, especially after sleep. This thick discharge differs from other causes: viral conjunctivitis usually has watery discharge and may show preauricular lymph node swelling, while allergic conjunctivitis tends to cause itching with a ropy, stringy discharge. Severe eye pain points away from uncomplicated conjunctivitis and toward more serious problems like corneal involvement. So the presence of thick, purulent discharge best matches bacterial conjunctivitis.