Conjunctivitis that's caused by a virus is generally contagious before symptoms appear and can remain so as long as the symptoms last. Because it can be hard to tell which kind of conjunctivitis a person has, it's wise to visit a doctor if your eyes are red and irritated. Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated with prescription antibiotic drops or ointment.
Drops — the form of treatment most commonly prescribed for teens — are used up to four times a day. They don't hurt, although they may cause a brief stinging sensation. Even though your eyes should feel and look better after a couple of days, it's important to use the drops for as long as the doctor has prescribed.
The infection may come back if you stop too soon. If a virus is causing conjunctivitis, antibiotic drops will not help. The eye infection will get better on its own as the body fights off the virus. If you have allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe anti-allergy eyedrops or medicine in pill form.
Because infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious, wash your hands after interacting with anyone who has the infection. Don't share potentially infected items like washcloths, towels, gauze, or cotton balls.
This can be difficult among family members, so just do the best you can. If you have pinkeye, it's important to wash your hands often, especially after touching your eyes. The infection can easily spread from one eye to the other on contaminated hands or tissues. It's also wise not to share cosmetics, especially eye makeup. Bacteria can hang out on beauty products, so avoid using the testers at makeup counters directly on your eyes.
And if you've already had a bout of pinkeye, throw away all your eye makeup and splurge on new stuff but don't start using your new products until the infection is completely gone. If you wear contact lenses and you have pinkeye, your doctor or eye doctor may recommend that you not wear contact lenses while infected. Treating your pink eye usually depends on the type of conjunctivitis you have. Conjunctivitis usually goes away on its own within 1—2 weeks.
If your symptoms last longer than that, you should see your ophthalmologist. He or she can make sure you don't have a more serious eye problem. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can spread from person to person. Follow these tips so you will not infect other people or re-infect yourself. About Foundation Museum of the Eye. Pink Eye Conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis: What Is Pink Eye? By Kierstan Boyd. Edited By David Turbert.
Popular Pink Eye Answers Is there a quick screening test for pink eye? Are pink eye and conjunctivitis the same thing? How long can pink eye live on surfaces? How is conjunctivitis or pink eye in infants treated?
Are night time glare and halos normal after a pink eye infection? How long is pink eye contagious? Pink eye caused by bacteria will take about 24—48 hours before symptoms improve once a person is on antibiotics. People can get viral pink eye from an infection that spreads from the nose to the eyes. It can also be transmitted via droplets from a cough or sneeze that land directly on the eye.
A bacterial pink eye infection can last about 10 days without treatment. However, bacterial pink eye should resolve in a few days with treatment. If pink eye does not improve quickly with antibiotic drops, it is likely to be viral rather than bacterial pink eye.
A daycare, school, or workplace will often request or require a person not to return until their symptoms have cleared. Mild cases can clear on their own with no medical intervention within a few days for both viral and bacterial pink eye. Allergic pink eye often clears as allergic reactions are controlled. A doctor may recommend some additional treatments to reduce the allergic reactions in cases of allergic pink eye.
It will often take a few days to about 2 weeks for mild infections. People who get pink eye frequently may want to discuss the issue with their doctor to see if there is an underlying reason. People should not return to work or school until their symptoms clear completely.
A person should talk to their doctor about when it is safe for them to return to normal activities. Disposable lenses worn either right before or during an infection should be thrown out. Hard lenses should be cleaned thoroughly before being used again. People can also help prevent infections by using only sterile contact solution to store their contacts and cleaning their hands before inserting or removing them. Parents should take a newborn baby to be seen by a doctor if the infant develops pink eye.
Persistent, watery discharge may be due to a blocked tear duct, but the eye will not usually be red.
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