Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs It Contagious?Contagious Pink Eye TreatmentAllergic Pink Eye TreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is It Contagious?
Contagious Pink Eye Treatment
Allergic Pink Eye Treatment
Prevention
Pink eye is also known asconjunctivitis. It can affect one or both eyes. It happens when there is inflammation of theconjunctiva, the tissue that covers part of the eye surface and the inner part of the eyelid. Although pink eye has many different causes, only bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are contagious.
This article discusses the different types of pink eye and how contagious they are. It also goes over the treatment options for the different types of pink eye.
Symptoms of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Is Pink Eye Contagious?
Pink eye can have various causes, and not all types of pink eye are contagious. It is important to find out what type you have so you will know if you have to take precautions to avoid spreading it to others.
A comprehensiveeye examcan diagnose the problem and diagnose the type of conjunctivitis. Your optometrist orophthalmologistcan then determine the proper treatment.
Should I stay home with pink eye?According to the CDC, if you have conjunctivitis without a fever or other symptoms, you may be able to attend school or work if your doctor’s approves. However, if you have symptoms and would be in close proximity to other people, you should stay home.
Should I stay home with pink eye?
According to the CDC, if you have conjunctivitis without a fever or other symptoms, you may be able to attend school or work if your doctor’s approves. However, if you have symptoms and would be in close proximity to other people, you should stay home.
Bacterial Pink Eye
Bacterial conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye problems.It is more common in children, and it causes red eyes, pain, and sticky pus.
Bacterial pink eye is highly contagious. You can spread it to others as long as you continue to have symptoms, and for up to 24 hours after you begin treatment. The bacteria that cause this type of conjunctivitis can be found on the hands or in makeup, contact lenses, or facial lotions.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause bacterial conjunctivitis.Gonorrheaandchlamydia, for instance, can lead to a more severe type of pink eye. Pregnant women who have these STDs can pass conjunctivitis to their child when they give birth.
Why Do Healthcare Providers Recommend Antibacterial Drops for Infants?Conjunctivitis is a serious problem when a child contracts it at birth due to an STI. This can happen even if the mother doesn’t have symptoms. Healthcare providers will treat the infants immediately with an antibiotic ointment or eye drops.If left untreated, this type of pink eye can lead to complications such as ulceration and perforation of the cornea, blindness, and chlamydia pneumonia. In severe cases, treatment should be initiated without waiting for culture results.
Why Do Healthcare Providers Recommend Antibacterial Drops for Infants?
Conjunctivitis is a serious problem when a child contracts it at birth due to an STI. This can happen even if the mother doesn’t have symptoms. Healthcare providers will treat the infants immediately with an antibiotic ointment or eye drops.If left untreated, this type of pink eye can lead to complications such as ulceration and perforation of the cornea, blindness, and chlamydia pneumonia. In severe cases, treatment should be initiated without waiting for culture results.
Conjunctivitis is a serious problem when a child contracts it at birth due to an STI. This can happen even if the mother doesn’t have symptoms. Healthcare providers will treat the infants immediately with an antibiotic ointment or eye drops.
If left untreated, this type of pink eye can lead to complications such as ulceration and perforation of the cornea, blindness, and chlamydia pneumonia. In severe cases, treatment should be initiated without waiting for culture results.
Viral Pink Eye
Allergies and Irritation
Allergic conjunctivitisis not contagious, and people who have allergies are more vulnerable to this type of pink eye. Allergic conjunctivitis often happens during allergy season and is usually short-term. Chronic allergic conjunctivitis, which is a long-term problem, can occur all year and happen due to food or animal dander, for example.
How Contagious Pink Eye Is Treated
Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are used to treat bacterial pink eye. The condition may improve after three or four days of treatment, but you must take the entire course of antibiotics to prevent recurrence.
How to Give Drops to Kids
Conjunctivitis is a common problem in children, and it can be challenging to give them eye drops or ointments. The following tips can make the process easier and safe:
When Am I No Longer Contagious?
If you have bacterial pink eye, you are considered contagious until you have been using antibacterial eye drops for at least 24 hours.If you are not being treated with antibiotics or you have viral pink eye, you will be contagious until your symptoms resolve.
During this time, the best thing is to avoid crowded places and wash your hands frequently. That way, you can avoid passing the condition on to other people.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
How to Treat Non-Contagious Pink Eye
Antihistamines are the most efficient medication to treat allergic conjunctivitis. They can reduce symptoms like swelling and itching.
Symptoms will also disappear when the cause of the allergy is removed. If you haveseasonal allergies, wash your face frequently and wear a hat with a wide brim to stop pollen from getting in your eyes.
How Long Does Pink Eye Last?
How to Prevent Pink Eye From Spreading
There are simple habits that may prevent the spread of conjunctivitis when someone is infected.
Good personal hygiene is the best way to prevent spreading pink eye. People who catch pink eye or are around someone who has pink eye should wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands is also effective.
Summary
Viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious, but allergic pink eye is not. If you have bacterial pink eye and your healthcare provider prescribes antibacterial eye drops, you are contagious until 24 hours after you begin using them. If you do not use antibacterial eye drops or you have viral pink eye, you are contagious until you no longer have symptoms.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye: Causes and how it spreads.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Bacterial conjunctivitis.
American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
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Vijayalakshmi P, Njambi L.Postoperative care for paediatric cataract patients. Community Eye Health. 2016;29(94):32-34
Nemours TeenHealth.Pinkeye (conjunctivitis).
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Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis.JAMA. 2013;310(16):1721-1729.doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.280318
Carr W, Schaeffer J, Donnenfeld E.Treating allergic conjunctivitis: A once-daily medication that provides 24-hour symptom relief.Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2016;7(2):e107-e114. doi: 10.2500/ar.2016.7.0158
Solano D, Fu L, Czyz CN.Viral conjunctivitis. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2020.
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