It's normal for parents to feel anxious when their child contracts pink eye. Conjunctivitis, another name for this common eye ailment, can cause red, itchy, and irritated eyes. So, should you send your child to school or keep them home? Let’s dive into the basics of eye infection and how to determine what to do with your child when they’re suffering.
For same-day pink eye treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Cortez. Our board-certified medical providers are available seven days a week to treat patients of all ages– no appointment necessary. If you’d like to plan your visit in advance, simply pre-register below!
Understanding Pink Eye: Causes and Symptoms
Let’s start by understanding pink eye! This condition arises when the thin tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids becomes inflamed. There are several causes and types of pink eye. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious, often linked to colds or respiratory infections, and usually results in watery eyes and itching. Bacterial conjunctivitis is also infectious and is marked by a thicker, yellow, or green discharge. In contrast, allergic conjunctivitis, caused by allergens such as pollen or dust, leads to itching and redness but is not contagious.
Common signs and symptoms of pink eye include:
- Redness
- Itching
- Tearing
- Discharge
- Swelling
- Gritty Feeling
- Sensitivity to Light
Returning to School With Pink Eye
If your child has viral pink eye, it's wise to keep them home until they're feeling better. Since this type of pink eye is highly contagious, especially in a classroom environment, it’s best to wait until their symptoms improve and they’re no longer running a fever or showing signs of a cold. A few days at home should help them recover and prevent the virus from spreading.
When it comes to bacterial pink eye, the standard advice is to keep your child at home until they've been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. A quick visit to the doctor will get you the necessary prescription. Even if your child seems to be getting better, be sure they complete the entire antibiotic course to clear the infection and avoid passing it on entirely.
Your child can usually go back to school for allergic conjunctivitis, which isn’t contagious, since there’s no risk of it spreading to their peers. Still, checking in with your doctor is an excellent move to manage symptoms and rule out any secondary infections.
Getting Pink Eye Treatment at Urgent Care
If you’re uncertain or your child’s symptoms are severe or not improving, a visit to an urgent care center can clarify. Healthcare professionals there can offer the right treatment, help prevent the spread of infection, and give you confidence about when it’s safe for your child to return to school. If you're worried or need reassurance, an urgent care visit might be just what you need to get everything sorted. Treatment for pink eye depends on the underlying cause. Viral conjunctivitis resolves on its own within 1-2 weeks, but can be relieved with cold compresses and over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. Bacterial conjunctivitis needs to be treated with prescription eye drops which generally help the infection clear up within a few days.
Get Walk-In Pink Eye Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Cortez in Cortez, CO
Whether or not your child can go to school with pink eye largely depends on the type and severity of the condition. While allergic conjunctivitis isn’t contagious and may not require time away from school, bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious and warrant keeping your child at home until symptoms improve. When in doubt, consult with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance on your child’s health. If you or someone in your family is dealing with pink eye, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Cortez for same-day treatment. Our urgent care center is conveniently located at 1942 E. Main St. in Cortez, CO. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for those without. If you have any additional questions about our services, please contact our team directly at (970) 516-5500.
