Is Viral or Bacterial conjunctivitis more associated with follicle formation?

Is Viral or Bacterial conjunctivitis more associated with follicle formation?

• A. Viral
• B. Bacterial
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (A)

Follicles on the conjunctiva indicate a viral immune response, most classically seen with adenoviral conjunctivitis. These dome-shaped nodules form as lymphoid tissue reacts to the viral infection, typically on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Bacterial conjunctivitis, by contrast, more often shows papillae on the conjunctiva and a purulent discharge rather than follicles. So the presence of follicles best points to a viral cause.

Follicles on the conjunctiva indicate a viral immune response, most classically seen with adenoviral conjunctivitis. These dome-shaped nodules form as lymphoid tissue reacts to the viral infection, typically on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Bacterial conjunctivitis, by contrast, more often shows papillae on the conjunctiva and a purulent discharge rather than follicles. So the presence of follicles best points to a viral cause.