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What Is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?Bacterial pinkeye stops being contagious shortly after you start antibiotics, but viral pinkeye may be contagious for up to two weeks. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the whites of the eyes (called the sclera). There are five main types of conjunctivitis:
What Are Symptoms of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?Symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis) include:
See an eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) if you suspect pink eye and have the following signs or symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition:
What Causes Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?Causes of pink eye (conjunctivitis) include:
SLIDESHOWPink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments See SlideshowHow Is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Diagnosed?Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is diagnosed with a physical examination of the eye. The diagnosis of pink eye is often made based on the presence of symptoms such as eye redness and discharge, and the patient’s vision is normal with no evidence of other eye conditions such as keratitis, iritis, or angle-closure glaucoma. Swabbing the eye for culture, stains, and direct antibody or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is usually only used in uncommon or chronic cases that do not get better on their own or respond to treatment. There is a rapid (10-minute) test for conjunctivitis caused by adenoviruses but it often is not covered by insurance so it is not widely used. What Is the Treatment for Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?Treatment for pink eye (conjunctivitis) depends on the cause. Viral conjunctivitis treatment:
Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment:
Allergic conjunctivitis treatment:
Toxic conjunctivitis treatment:
Nonspecific conjunctivitis treatment:
How long is pink eye contagious after antibiotics are started?If you get pink eye from bacteria, you're contagious while you have symptoms or until about 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment. If you get pink eye from a virus, you're contagious for as long as you have symptoms (usually several days).
When is viral pink eye not contagious?Pink eye (conjunctivitis) generally remains contagious as long as your child has tearing and matted eyes. Pink eye is commonly caused by viruses or bacteria. Depending on the cause of your child's pink eye, signs and symptoms usually improve within a few days to two weeks.
Can you be around someone with pink eye?Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) are very contagious. They can spread easily from person to person. You can greatly reduce the risk of getting conjunctivitis or spreading it to someone else by following some simple steps for good hygiene.
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