Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsPreventionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Around 80% of all pink eye cases are viral.Symptomsinclude eye mucus, light sensitivity, irritation, and redness.
This article goes over the causes and symptoms of viral conjunctivitis and how this condition is diagnosed and treated.
Conjunctiva Anatomy and Function
Theresa Chiechi / Verywell
Viral Conjunctivitis Symptoms
Viral conjunctivitis generally starts in one eye and then spreads to the other. Common symptoms include:
Viral conjunctivitis often accompanies the flu and other conditions.
Symptoms of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
What Are the Causes of Viral Conjunctivitis?
Viruses are responsible for most cases of infectious conjunctivitis, accounting for up to 80%.
Viral conjunctivitis is extremely contagious. You can get it through direct exposure to someone with an upper respiratory tract infection. Having contact with infectious tears, eye discharge, fecal matter, or respiratory discharges can contaminate hands.You can then get viral conjunctivitis if you rub your eyes with your hands.
What Causes Goopy Eyes and How to Treat Them
How Is Viral Conjunctivitis Diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will generally be able to diagnose and treat viral conjunctivitis. If your symptoms persist or worsen or you experience serious disruptions in vision, then you may be referred to anophthalmologistor optometrist.
How do you know if pink eye is viral or bacterial?
It is not always possible to tell the difference between bacterial and viral pink eye. Your healthcare provider may suspect viral conjunctivitis if your symptoms are tied to a respiratory infection and if the discharge from your affected eye is watery instead of thick.
Viral Conjunctivitis Treatment
Since viral conjunctivitis usually goes away on its own, treatment focuses mainly on symptom relief. Your healthcare provider may recommend at-home treatments to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence, including the following:
Your healthcare provider may prescribe steroid drops to lessen the discomfort from more serious inflammation, or, in the case of herpes virus, an anti-viral medication.
How Long Does Viral Conjunctivitis Last?
Most cases of viral conjunctivitis will clear up without treatment in seven to 14 days. Some people may continue to experience symptoms for up to three weeks.
How to Get Rid of Eye Mucus
Newborns or people with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer or anHIVinfection, can experience a more severe infection.
Tips to Avoid Spreading Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is contagious for as long as you have symptoms. If you have pink eye, you should stay home until your eyes no longer appear reddened and irritated and discharge is no longer visible. Medical professionals say it’s okay for children to head back to the classroom once tearing and discharge clears.The timeline of how long this takes depends on each specific case.
If your symptoms have not completely resolved, don’t share washcloths or kitchen utensils with others. Wash your hands regularly and avoid rubbing your eyes with your fingers and then touching communal surfaces.Avoid sharing old or used eye makeup and eye drops with others.
Shaking hands is a common way to spread the virus. The germs can move from the hand of the infected individual to the hand of the person they are touching and ultimately their eye if they rub their face.
Can You Go to Work With Pink Eye?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
In milder cases, viral conjunctivitis does not cause long-lasting, serious health complications.
You should contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:
If mild symptoms fail to improve over the course of a week or two, seek medical attention.
Summary
Viral conjunctivitis usually passes after about two to three weeks. The viruses that cause this condition and others can’t be cured through an antibiotic or medications, but symptoms can be lessened through self-care routines at home.
If your symptoms get worse or you experience sudden, drastic changes to your vision, consult a healthcare provider.
5 SourcesVerywell 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.Keen M, Thompson M.Treatment of acute conjunctivitis in the United States and evidence of antibiotic overuse: Isolated issue or a systematic problem?Ophthalmology. 2017;124(8):1096-1098. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.05.029Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Chigbu DI, Labib BA.Pathogenesis and management of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.Infect Drug Resist. 2018;11:981-993. doi:10.2147/IDR.S162669American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Conjunctivitis: What is pink eye?
5 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.Keen M, Thompson M.Treatment of acute conjunctivitis in the United States and evidence of antibiotic overuse: Isolated issue or a systematic problem?Ophthalmology. 2017;124(8):1096-1098. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.05.029Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Chigbu DI, Labib BA.Pathogenesis and management of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.Infect Drug Resist. 2018;11:981-993. doi:10.2147/IDR.S162669American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Conjunctivitis: What is pink eye?
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.
Keen M, Thompson M.Treatment of acute conjunctivitis in the United States and evidence of antibiotic overuse: Isolated issue or a systematic problem?Ophthalmology. 2017;124(8):1096-1098. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.05.029Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Chigbu DI, Labib BA.Pathogenesis and management of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.Infect Drug Resist. 2018;11:981-993. doi:10.2147/IDR.S162669American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Conjunctivitis: What is pink eye?
Keen M, Thompson M.Treatment of acute conjunctivitis in the United States and evidence of antibiotic overuse: Isolated issue or a systematic problem?Ophthalmology. 2017;124(8):1096-1098. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.05.029
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Chigbu DI, Labib BA.Pathogenesis and management of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.Infect Drug Resist. 2018;11:981-993. doi:10.2147/IDR.S162669
American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Conjunctivitis: What is pink eye?
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