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The Minnesota
Department of Health
Conjunctivitis,
commonly known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the thin transparent layer of
tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of
the eye.
This leads to
redness and soreness of the eye, often caused by viruses or allergies. Other
causes of conjunctivitis include bacterial infections and irritation from
chemicals.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral
conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by contagious viruses associated with
the common cold, but typical cold symptoms are not always present.
Most viruses that
cause conjunctivitis spread through hand-to-eye contact by hands or objects
that are contaminated with the virus.
Antibiotics will
not cure or help viral conjunctivitis. Like a common cold, the virus
has to run its course, which can take up to two or three weeks.
Symptoms can
often be relieved with warm or cool compresses and artificial tear solutions.
Common Symptoms
· Redness of eye(s)
· Watery eye discharge that may crust around eyelids
· Burning or gritty feeling in eye
· May initially involve only one eye; often spreads to other eye in
1-2 days
· Symptoms usually get worse over the first 3-5 days then gradually
improve
Bacterial
Conjunctivitis
Bacterial
conjunctivitis is an infection most often
caused by a variety of organisms, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus,
and Moraxella bacteria.
It can spread from person to person, from hand-to-eye
contact, or via eye contact with contaminated objects.
Health care
providers might prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments for bacterial
conjunctivitis to help shorten the length of infection.
Common Symptoms
· Redness of eye(s) and/or eyelid(s)
· Thick white, yellow, or green eye discharge throughout the day
When
to Seek Medical Attention
The following groups of people should seek medical care for any
symptoms of conjunctivitis:
· Infants (four weeks old or younger)
· Persons who wear contact lenses who have continued symptoms 12-24
hours after removing the contacts
· Persons with weakened immune systems
All other people
should seek care when any of the following symptoms are present:
· Eye pain
· Reduced or blurry vision
· Sensitivity to light
· Inability or refusal to open eyelid
· Severe headache or nausea
· Recent trauma to the eye
· Symptoms that get worse or do not improve within 24 hours after
starting an antibiotic for suspected bacterial conjunctivitis
Recommendations for
School or Child Care Exclusions
No exclusions are
recommended, unless the child has a fever or is not healthy enough to
participate in routine activities.
Antibiotics or a
note from a health care provider are not required. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends considering conjunctivitis like the common cold – both
diseases are easily spread among children and both resolve without treatment.
The Minnesota
Department of Health
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