Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common eye infection. It is very prevalent among kids, however it can affect people of all ages. Fortunately, conjunctivitis is not typically serious, and heals relatively quickly. Pink eye is known for how contagious it is. It can spread as soon as symptoms begin to appear and will continue to be contagious until the eye stops to discharge. However, antibiotics can both help decrease how long it takes to heal and can help stop the spread of this condition. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of pink eye, as well as outline the typical duration of contagiousness after starting treatment.
For same-day pink eye diagnosis and treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Farmington. Our center is conveniently located in Farmington, near Bloomfield, Kirtland & Flora Vista, NM. Just walk-in today or plan your visit below!
How Do You Get Conjunctivitis?
Pink eye occurs when the conjunctiva (the white part of the eyes) becomes inflamed. There are a few ways this can happen, and not all of them are contagious. For example, irritant conjunctivitis happens when irritants get into your eye. This can be caused by chlorine in pools or air pollution. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergens and is therefore not contagious (however, if multiple people have the same allergy and are exposed to the same allergen they might both develop allergic conjunctivitis). Contagious pink eye comes from bacteria and viruses. These are often the same bacteria and viruses that cause ear infections, sinus infections and the common cold. The only difference is that the virus or bacteria is in the eyes instead of in the respiratory system or in the sinuses.
How Can You Tell If Someone Has Pink Eye?
The name pink eye comes from its most obvious symptom. When the conjunctiva is inflamed, it causes the eye to appear pink or red. The individual with pink eye will often notice their eye is itchy and there is usually a discharge from the eye. This discharge can be watery or it can be a form of pus. In some cases, people can wake up and their eyelids can be stuck together because of how the discharge has dried overnight.
The most common symptoms associated with conjunctivitis include:
- Redness
- Tearing
- Discharge from eye
- Gritty feeling
- Sensitivity to light
- Crusting of eyelids of lashes
- Overall discomfort
How Do You Treat Pink Eye?
Antibiotic eye drops are the most common treatment for pink eye. However, there are also ointments with similar medications that might be recommended for young patients. Once the antibiotics are used, a patient will stop being contagious a full day later. However, this is only true if the cause of the pink eye is bacterial. Antibiotics only help fight bacteria. If you have conjunctivitis because of allergens, your doctor might recommend anti-allergy eye drops instead.
How Long Is Conjunctivitis Contagious?
The contagious period of pink eye depends on its cause– whether it’s viral, bacterial, or due to allergens or irritants. For viral conjunctivitis, the contagious period can start before symptoms appear. Typically, viral pink eye remains contagious for 7 to 14 days after symptoms begin, even after starting treatment. As a general guideline, you are no longer contagious once symptoms completely resolve– which can take up to two weeks. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious before and during treatment. Generally, it stays contagious until antibiotic treatment has been administered for at least 24-48 hours. If you don’t see any improvement after a few days of antibiotics, be sure to seek further medical guidance.
Get Pink Eye Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Farmington
The contagiousness of pink eye varies depending on its cause. Practicing good hygiene and seeking appropriate treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent the spread of infectious conjunctivitis. If you or someone in your family has developed pink eye, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Farmington. We can diagnose the cause of your pink eye and provide medication that can help alleviate symptoms, improve your recovery, and prevent the spread. Don’t ignore your symptoms! We’re open seven days a week to provide exceptional urgent care services to all patients in the Farmington, NM area. Our center accepts most health insurance plans and offers low-cost options for self-pay patients. If you have any additional questions about the services we provide, call us at (505) 326-6000.
