Schools and day care centers often require a child diagnosed with pink eye to stay home until the condition is resolved. Last medically reviewed on July 28, 2020, Pink eye will usually go away on its own in about one to two weeks. This form of pink eye is not contagious. Some bacterial and viral strains are capable of being transferred from humans to pets (for example, dogs and cats) and also from infected pets to humans. But determining how long pink eye is contagious and how long you or your child should stay home can be a little tricky. Whats Causing Green Discharge to Come from My Eyes and Is It Contagious? For bacterial conjunctivitis, these things can be characterized as another person with conjunctivitis or a contaminated object that you touch with your hands and then touch your eyes and/or face. Make sure you wash your hands first; you dont want to spread any bacteria onto your glasses. Its the tough outer layer that protects the iris and the rest of the eye. Relationships: Your Health and Your People, Research and Practice in Clinical Psychology. (2020). MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral or bacterial pinkeye is contagious. Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision. UPMC HealthBeat is the publishing website for UPMC, an integrated health care system based in Pittsburgh. If no complications occur, your eyes should improve within a few days, but symptoms could last up to two weeks. How older drivers can improve their driving at night, find and consult with an eye doctor near you. If you wear contact lenses, throw them away, too, and switch to eye glasses, which can be washed with warm soapy water. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Or, lie down with a cold, wet cloth gently draped across your closed eyes. You dont always need to stay away from school or work, especially if youre an adult and youre taking the necessary precautions to prevent it from spreading to others. It also can spread through coughing, sneezing or rubbing ones eyes. Yes, pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is very contagious. There are three kinds of pink eye, and not all types are contagious. All LASIK savings offers are valid only on bladeless custom LASIK based off the LASIK procedure book price. Last Updated Jun 26, 2023. If you have pinkeye and have one or more of the following problems, you should contact your health care provider immediately: 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. An Internet Brands company. 0 Viral pink eye will normally resolve in seven to 14 days, even without treatment. How Do Blind People Experience Their Dreams? Prompt treatment with antibiotics can limit the progression and lessen the duration of bacterial pink eye. Viral pink eye . Youre contagious when symptoms of pink eye appear and for as long as youre experiencing watery eyes and discharge. (Timelines & More). But you can take steps to prevent it from spreading. occur with other symptoms, such as a fever and body aches, depending on the cause. Viral pink eye is contagious for between 7 and 14 days, while bacterial pink eye is contagious for 10 days on average. Use a new clean cloth each time you use it. What Happens If You Wear Contact Lenses with Pink Eye? Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Thats where UPMC Urgent Care comes in. Its also possible to expose yourself to conjunctivitis by having the contaminated object in or near your eyes (contact lenses, eyeglasses, etc.). However, it is possible for people to get both repeated infections and/or repeated incidents of. If pink eye is caused byeye allergies, then the condition is not contagious. Medicaid: Eligibility and Vision Benefits. By Autumn Sprabary; reviewed by Gary Heiting, OD. How Long Are You Contagious With Pink Eye? Use a different dispenser for over-the-counter eye drops after pink eye heals. If they dont slow down and disappear within this period, you must see an ophthalmologist. Pink eye isnt any more contagious than other common infections, such as a cold, but it does require effort to keep from spreading it or picking it up from someone else. However, we will follow up with suggested ways to find appropriate information related to your question. Do not share personal items that come in contact with your face, like makeup brushes or pillowcases. Whether or not pink eye is contagious depends on its cause. In this case, you need up to 24 hours for the eye drops or ointment to start working and for the pink eye to no longer be contagious. However, most doctors do not think that pinkeye becomes contagious to other people until symptoms start to develop. Reviewed by Burt Dubow, OD. Other ways to help prevent pink eye include: Viral and bacterial pink eye are both contagious while symptoms are present. Some forms of pink eye can be treated with antibiotic eye drops. Symptoms can include watery, itchy eyes, sticky eye discharge that can cause the eyelids to stick together, and light sensitivity. Story by: Sara Sidery on April 19, 2022 Antibiotics dont work on this, so it usually just must run its course. In serious cases, conjunctivitis can cause some swelling in the lymph node near your ear. These types of pink eye are not contagious. This can prevent the disease from spreading. You should generally limit contact during this time until there is no eye discharge. The infection typically resolves on its own within a couple of weeks. It can spread to others as soon as symptoms appear, and it remains contagious for as long as symptoms remain, or for about 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics. For bacterial conjunctivitis, its usually safe to return to school or work after 24 hours of starting antibiotics as long as symptoms have improved. Pink eye can be spread by direct contact from an infected persons eye fluid or body fluids such as mucus from sneezing or a runny nose, said Cheryl Franco, MSNEd, RN, of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Typically, conjunctivitis symptoms last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. How Long is Pink Eye Contagious and What You Need To Know - Eye Pain Center There are many causes of pinkeye; picture of pinkeye by iStock. See a doctor as soon as you notice the symptoms. It's caused by allergens, irritants, bacteria and viruses, such as coronaviruses that cause the common cold or COVID-19. Practicing good hand-washing habits, not touching your eyes with your hands, and avoiding sharing personal items such as towels, eye drops, and makeup can help reduce the chances of getting infected with conjunctivitis. How Long Is Pink Eye Contagious? | UPMC HealthBeat Younger children especially may be asked to stay home until their symptoms go away. In addition, prompt treatment of pink eye can help prevent complications and reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others. Pink eye caused by a virus is the most common type. Some viruses can last up to 8 weeks. If you have moderate or severe pink eye, medications from your eye doctor will help to reduce your symptoms and clear up the illness faster. Adenoviral conjunctivitis is a common and highly contagious type of pink eye. You also can be at risk of getting contagious pink eye from exposure to certain adenoviruses found in water sources such as untreated swimming pool water. However, if you have any of the above symptoms for a day or two, make an appointment to see your physician. Terms of Use. If your child develops pink eye symptoms, take them to a pediatrician promptly instead of waiting for symptoms to improve on their own. Generally, pink eye will remain contagious for as long as your eyes remain watery or have thick discharge (matted eyes). Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis is a rare but severe form of pink eye. (2015). If your pink eye is caused by a bacterial infection, and you start using. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can spread to others as soon as symptoms appear, and it remains contagious for as long as symptoms remain, or for about 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics. Thats because bacteria can live and grow on the lenses. Conjunctivitis: Including symptoms, treatment and prevention. transmit via droplets from a cough or sneeze. Finally, you should get rid of any cosmetics that have come into contact with your eyes recently. Luckily, with this type of conjunctivitis, people are no longer contagious after 24 hours of beginning antibiotic treatment. The best way to avoid the spread of pink eye is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water. Your eyes have a microbiome, or stable environment, where they utilize their own bacteria to keep things balanced. If you have pink eye caused by a virus or bacteria, your conjunctivitis can be contagious for several days to several weeks once symptoms (red, itchy, watery eyes; possibly with eye discharge) appear. In addition to redness, pink eye causes the following symptoms in one or both eyes: These symptoms may occur alongside symptoms of a cold, the flu, or other viruses, including COVID-19. Conjunctivitis can come from bacteria, viruses, allergies to pollen or animals, or other eye irritants like chlorinated pools or eye makeup. Antibiotics arent effective in treating a virus. (2020). Once youre past these allocated days and have no visible symptoms, its safe to assume youre not contagious. This is a good idea, because infectious conjunctivitis (pink eye) can be highly contagious in environments where children are in close contact with each other. You should also warn your coworkers if you develop pink eye. Because it is spread by hand-to-eye contact or eye contact with an infected object, it is important to practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly and wearing goggles when swimming. Schools and day care centers often require a child diagnosed with pink eye to stay home until the condition is resolved. If conjunctivitis is caused by a virus, the infection simply must run its course. Its caused by bacteria that are responsible for gonorrhea or meningitis. This should help prevent spreading of the infection, especially if you have the infectious pink eye variants. I understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. In addition, over-the-counter artificial tears can also help with symptoms. If you have used eye makeup while infected with pink eye, it is best to replace it to reduce the risk of reinfection. Viruses tend to be more hardy, with most surviving 24 to 48 hours. Adenoviral conjunctivitis is a common and highly contagious type of pink eye. However, allergic conjunctivitis, which is caused by an allergic reaction, is not contagious. Get a new level of healthcare convenience. : No specific treatment is available for viral conjunctivitis, so it is usually managed with self-care measures like applying a cool compress to the eyes and using artificial tears to relieve discomfort. Your eye may hurt when you blink for a variety of causes, but eye pain treatments can help. If you don't see any improvement after taking the medication prescribed by your doctor, make a second appointment. Like many viral infections, pink eye cannot be treated directly and must run its course. Inflammation or irritation of the conjunctiva doesnt always mean pink eye. Different Types of Eye Care Professionals, Learn & Compare Different Types of Vision Correction Procedures. Pink eye can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, or it may be caused by an allergic reaction. Visit our website to find a location close to you. (2015). My Daughter Has Pink Eye. In general, most types of eye makeup, including mascara, should be replaced every 3-6 months. Bacterial pink eye is contagious as long as someone is symptomatic, if there is discharge from the eye, or until 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Is Pinkeye Contagious? How Do You Catch Pinkeye? - MedicineNet Pink Eye | Johns Hopkins Medicine Norton Childrens has cared for Kentucky and Southern Indiana children without regard to their families ability to pay for more than a century. If you touch something with the virus or bacteria on it, and then touch your eyes, you can develop pink eye. This depends on what caused the pink eye and the conditions of the surface on which it lives. The infection typically resolves on its own within a couple of weeks. Conjunctivitis. Select a LocationNorthwest Pa. and Western New YorkNorth Central Pa.Central Pa.Southwest Pa.West Central Pa.MarylandOther. If you have bacterial and viral infections of the disease, then yes, you should assume youre contagious during the active period. Ear infection. Avoid wiping your face with towels that others might share. The event remains under investigation. If contagious, your child will. Viral pink eye usually appears in both eyes, and may develop along with a cold or respiratory infection. If you have pink eye and wear contact lenses, its essential to follow your eye doctors recommendations to manage your lenses during the infection. In some cases, pink eye can clear up on its own. The answer to the question about pinkeye contagiousness depends upon the source or cause of the conjunctival irritation. 2000-2023 AAV Media, LLC. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. You may need to stay home from work or school when your pink eye symptoms are at their worst. Can I Go to Work With Pink Eye? Contagiousness and Risks - Healthline To treat pink eye, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Practicing good hygiene to prevent the spread of pink eye, including washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes. The incubation period (the time between becoming infected and symptoms appearing) for viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is about 24 to 72 hours. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. When the white part of your eye turns reddish or pink and becomes itchy, you may have a condition called pink eye. This depends on what caused the pink eye and the conditions of the surface on which it lives. Typically, bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with prescription antibiotic eye drops, but even with treatment, it can last up to a month or longer. If youre around someone who has pink eye, be sure to keep the following pointers in mind to prevent being exposed to their pink eye infection: If you have pink eye and are considering returning to work or school, the suggestions above also apply to you. Until youre able to remove the source of your allergic conjunctivitis, applying eye drops with an antihistamine can calm your eye allergies. Stressed eyes are a condition where the eyes experience discomfort or strain due to prolonged and excessive use, often caused by [] More, Eye pain is a discomfort or a painful sensation in or around the eye area. Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually contagious as long as there is discharge from the eyes and until 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Pink eye doesnt usually affect your ability to see. (2017). The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo purchase before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Some forms of pink eye can be treated with antibiotic eye drops. This is a good reason to wearswim gogglesor a swim mask with a seal that prevents your eyes from being exposed to the water. The incubation period of bacterial conjunctivitis the time from when a person is exposed to conjunctivitis to the time they start showing symptoms is anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. If you wear contact lenses, they may feel very uncomfortable, like they dont fit the way they normally do. Once the viral or bacterial infection is cleared up, the lymph node should shrink. What Is Hyperacute Bacterial Conjunctivitis? Both are highly contagious. Mayo Clinic Staff. If your condition worsens, consider visiting aUPMC Urgent Care location. Topical antibiotic ointments or eye drops are effective treatments for conjunctivitis only if the pink eye is caused by bacteria. Throw away contact lenses if you develop pink eye. Whether you realize the gritty feeling in your eye is more than just a fleeting irritation, or you wake up with your eyes crusted shut, the reaction is the same: Now what? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have pink eye and are unsure when its safe to return to school or work, its best to consult your doctor, who can advise you on the best course of action based on your situation. Pinkeye can be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergic reaction or environmental irritants. If you dont see any improvement after taking the medication prescribed by your doctor, make a second appointment. National Eye Institute. Pink eye is about as contagious as the common cold. Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis is a rare but severe form of pink eye. The length of time the pink eye is contagious can vary depending on the underlying cause of the infection and the type of treatment received. Signs and symptoms of viral pink eye can include: Similar to bacterial pink eye, viral pink eye can be spread through hand-to-eye contact or by touching objects that that are contaminated with the virus. Symptoms worsen or do not improve, especially if you are undergoing treatment (for example, utilizing antibiotics). Pink eye is also known as conjunctivitis. People with this condition are contagious for up to 14 days in the case of viral conjunctivitis and up to 24 hours after starting antibiotic therapy with bacterial conjunctivitis. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Viral pink eye is contagious for between 7 and 14 days, while bacterial pink eye is contagious for 10 days on average. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. If your pink eye doesnt go away or start to feel better after a week, be sure to see your doctor. Information from YourCareEverywhere does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In general, you shouldnt touch your eyes with your hands, especially if you havent washed your hands recently. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? (2019). This may include staying home from work or school when your symptoms are at their worst. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Individual treatment, diet, and exercise results may vary. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! Use a warm compress. Goodman DM, et al. How Long Does Pink Eye Last? Viral vs. Bacterial Pink Eye - Healthline Avoid wearing eye makeup orcontact lensesuntil your pink eye is gone in order to keep the makeup tools and lenses sterile. Protecting your eyes in this way should help prevent pink eye. How Long Is Pink Eye Contagious? Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The typical conjunctivitis incubation period is one day to three days, which is its active infection period. It is vital to complete the course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, even if symptoms have improved, to ensure that the infection has been fully treated. Mild cases may go away on their own within a couple of weeks. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Pink eye: How long is it contagious? - Mayo Clinic When a different type of bacteria enters the eye, it can throw off the balance and cause the eye to react with symptoms of conjunctivitis. After you clean your hands, use a clean cloth to wash away any crust or tears that have accumulated around your eyes several times a day. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) generally remains contagious as long as your child has tearing and matted eyes. Depending on the type of conjunctivitis you have, your symptoms may be contagious. Pink eye is a common eye infection that causes inflammation of the tissues lining the eyelid (conjunctiva). Give your eyes time to heal, take medications as needed, and be cautious about any items that meet your eyes after the illness clears up. Sharing makeup or using makeup contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens can increase your risk of reinfection or spreading the infection to others. Using the same pair of contacts can also reinfect yourself after pink eye recovery. Treatment depends on the specific cause and includes eye drops, ointments, pills, water flushes and comfort care. Viral conjunctivitis is generally considered contagious until symptoms have resolved, usually taking 7-14 days. Pink eye is commonly caused by viruses or bacteria. Typical symptoms include redness and a gritty sensation in your eye, along with itching. Hirschfield GS. For viral conjunctivitis, its usually safe to return to school or work once symptoms have resolved, which usually takes 7-14 days. Pink eye or conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin outer layer of the white part of your eye and the inner surface of your eyelid. Find out how long pink eye lasts and how to treat it fast. Or try our email preference center instead. : This type of pink eye is caused by an allergy to things like pollen, pet dander, or dust. Is Tobrex a Good First-Line Antibiotic for Conjunctivitis? Listed below are details on the types of pink eye that are contagious, how the infection spreads and how long it typically lasts. Subject to credit approval. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers, previous surgery, insurance, or vision care plan savings. Do you have red, watery eyes that just wont stop itching? To learn more, read our Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy pages. Though there is no treatment for viral pink eye, you can relieve symptoms with lubricatingeye dropsto soothe irritation. Pink eye is no longer contagious when your eyes look and feel normal again. We avoid using tertiary references. If you have pink eye, you should take precautions to avoid spreading it to those around you. Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common eye infection that causes symptoms such as redness, swelling, and watering in the affected eye. You can spread your symptoms to others through close contact. The simplest way to explain the cause of conjunctivitis is through contact with already infected things. If you havepink eyecaused by a virus or bacteria, your conjunctivitis can be contagious for several days to several weeks once symptoms (red, itchy, watery eyes; possibly witheye discharge) appear. It doesnt matter how long youve had it if you still display the conjunctivitis symptoms, such as discharge and watery eyes, then you are still contagious and should take necessary precautions. The sooner you deal with it, the less likely it will spread. But if you're seeing green discharge from an eye, it's probably infected and needs to be seen by a doctor. A child can get pinkeye by touching an infected person or something an infected person has touched, such as a used tissue. You must be careful not to re-infect yourself or infect anyone else. How long is pink eye contagious? - Norton Children's You or your child also can be infected with exposure to bacteria and viruses found in the environment, such as contaminated towels or countertops. Is pinkeye contagious? If your newborn baby has pink eye, seek medical attention immediately. Protecting your eyes in this way should help prevent pink eye. How long does viral pinkeye last? Pink eye has more than one possible cause, but viral and bacterial pink eye are the most common causes. Allergic conjunctivitis and irritant conjunctivitis are not contagious. 2017- 2023 Eye Pain Center. Allergic conjunctivitis can also improve on its own once the allergen is removed. Text the word, You can now select the specific newsletters you'd like to receive, Subscribe to more newsletters in our email preference center, Or try our email preference center instead, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About conjunctivitis (pink eye). Viral pink eye is contagious before symptoms appear and for as long as symptoms are present. See a certified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment. It can be due to various causes, including eye strain, [] More. Bacterial pink eye takes up to 10 days to break, even with antibiotics. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In the case of viral conjunctivitis (also called pink eye), the condition can be contagious even before symptoms of conjunctivitis appear in an infected person. However, pinkeye caused by allergens and chemical irritants is not contagious by person-to-person contact. For example, someone may experience eye irritation after exposure to animal dander or swimming in a chlorinated pool. Over-the-counter or prescription nasal sprays may also help relieve other allergy symptoms.