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Pink Eye Can Be Painful And Unsightly. But How Contagious Is It, Really?
Pink eye is among the most unwanted and common infections around. The swollen red eyes, dried pus, and sticky discharge is enough to make anyone suffering with the condition want to avoid being seen in public.
Most of the six million people who experience it each year also want to avoid some of its other more uncomfortable symptoms. These include increased sensitivity to light, an acute burning sensation, or an itchiness that can be so intense for some people that they rub off or loosen some of their eyelashes.
But beyond personal discomfort or public embarrassment, most of us especially don't want to pass the infection onto a loved one or even a stranger. Better understanding of how different forms of pink eye commonly spread can be helpful in this endeavor.
What is pink eye?Pink eye - also known as conjunctivitis - is an eye infection that happens when the thin outer membrane of the eye, called the conjunctiva, becomes infected and inflamed. "It's the most common ocular condition diagnosed in acute care settings in the United States," says Dr. Daniel Shapiro, a pediatric emergency care physician at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco. "And most people will likely develop conjunctivitis at some point in their lives - with the peak incidence occurring during early childhood and early adulthood."
Pink eye can result from a viral infection, a bacterial infection, a chemical (toxin) irritation, or from allergies. "Viral conjunctivitis is worse in the fall and winter," says Dr. John Epling, a practicing family physician and a professor of population health at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. This is because it often coincides with the increased presence of respiratory illnesses that are similarly caused by viruses such as when pink eye-adjacent COVID variant Arcturus was spreading rapidly in the fall of 2023. On the other hand, "allergic conjunctivitis can happen in spring, summer and/or fall, depending on the specific allergies a person has," he adds.
Is pink eye contagious?This timing matters because the type of pink eye one has often determines if one is contagious and how long symptoms will generally last. "Viral conjunctivitis lasts a few days to a week," says Epling, while bacterial pink eye may last until it's treated with drops or ointment, "but should then resolve in a few days." Allergic conjunctivitis "will last as long as allergens like pollens are around, but can be managed with medications and by avoidance of the allergens." For toxic or chemical conjunctivitis, "it's important to seek medical care soon since the treatment can change depending on the exposure," advises Epling.
Of these different types or causes of pink eye, only infectious conjunctivitis (meaning pink eye caused by viruses or bacteria) is contagious, says Shapiro. In both cases, the infection can be spread by direct contact with infected persons or by contact with contaminated objects. "Some viral conjunctivitis is also part of a generalized viral illness such as an infected person also having a fever, cough, nasal congestion, or fatigue," says Shapiro. In such cases, "transmission of the virus through contact or droplets could also lead to development of conjunctivitis as part of a viral syndrome."
Epling warns that virus- and bacteria-caused conjunctivitis "is very contagious," and often "spreads quickly in schools and daycares."
How to prevent pink eyeBecause of this, Shapiro says the best way to prevent pink eye caused by bacteria or viruses is to avoid close contact with anyone who currently has the disease (is showing symptoms) and to avoid touching the same surfaces or sharing the same objects such as eyeglasses, makeup, eye drops, towels or bedding.
If your pink eye is caused by seasonal allergies, steering clear of allergens (when possible) or treating it with certain antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops can be helpful, says Epling.
If you have infectious pink eye and want to avoid spreading it to others, it's best to avoid close contact with other individuals while symptoms are present, to avoid touching your eyes, to practice good hygiene by washing hands thoroughly and often, and by not sharing personal items with others or swimming in public pools, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To help alleviate symptoms, Epling advises using a warm compress, getting antibiotic drops or ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis ("antibiotics generally don't help with viral conjunctivitis," he says), gently rinsing eyes with cool or lukewarm water, or using artificial tears to help with dryness and inflammation.
"If symptoms last longer than a few days, it's recommended to see your doctor as complications may have developed," says Epling. "Most primary care doctors can treat conjunctivitis, but occasionally an eye doctor may be needed."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is pink eye contagious?
Why Is Pink Eye So Contagious?
Any parent of young children dreads hearing the words "pink eye." This common childhood infection, also called conjunctivitis, can spread rapidly, and once the little ones bring it home, it can be passed easily to other members of the household.
But why is pink eye so contagious?
One factor is that conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the conjunctiva — a thin, clear mucous layer that covers the inner surface of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball — is often caused by very infectious bacteria and viruses, Dr. Paramdeep Bilkhu, an optometrist and clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists in London, told Live Science by email.
Although allergies or irritants such as a loose eyelash can cause pink eye, most cases come from viruses and bacteria. Adenoviruses, a highly contagious family of pathogens that also cause cold- and flu-like symptoms, account for over 75% of cases of infective conjunctivitis, Bilkhu said.
Adenoviruses are also extremely hardy. For example, these viruses may survive disinfectants, such as 70% rubbing-alcohol (such as common hand sanitizers) and 3% hydrogen peroxide (such as Lysol and other household cleaners) solutions, according to a 2020 systematic review published in the Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research.
What's more, a person infected with an adenovirus can be contagious for up to two weeks from the time they are infected. Lastly, no treatments target adenoviruses, the review authors noted.
"While in some cases of bacterial infective conjunctivitis antibiotics are required to help bring about resolution, they will not work where the cause is viral," Bilkhu said. "There are no antiviral agents available to treat the viruses typically implicated in infective conjunctivitis."
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The bacteria and viruses behind pink eye spread as a direct result of the symptoms they cause, such as red, watery eyes; sticky discharge; and a burning or itching sensation. People with pink eye have an intense urge to rub the affected eyes. From those infected surfaces, the microbes can go from someone's hands to surfaces and personal items, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Viruses that cause pink eye also may be transmitted through droplets expelled when someone coughs or sneezes. That is because they are able to spread along the mucous membranes that connect the respiratory tract, tear ducts and conjunctiva, according to the American Optometric Association. "Many cases of viral conjunctivitis occur following a prior or close contact with someone who has an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or flu," Bilkhu said.
Because young children spend a lot of time in close contact with each other and do not tend to practice good hygiene, they are particularly susceptible to pink eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Most cases of infective conjunctivitis are mild and resolve within two weeks without any long-term complications. "During this period, the key is to ensure careful hygiene measures to prevent spread to the fellow eye and to others," Bilkhu said. "This includes washing hands before and after touching the eyes, appropriately disinfecting surfaces after touching them, and changing bedding and pillow cases each night."
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.
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Pink Eye Or Allergies? How To Tell The Difference
Conjunctivitis can occur due to bacterial or viral infection or an allergic reaction. People often refer to bacterial or viral conjunctivitis as pink eye. Infectious and allergic conjunctivitis have different symptoms.
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the transparent membrane covering the eyeball (conjunctiva). Both infectious pink eye (conjunctivitis) can cause red, sore, and inflamed eyes. Infectious conjunctivitis may cause green discharge and crusting.
Eye irritation from allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, is less likely to cause this symptom. Instead, the eyes may feel itchy and have watery discharge.
This article explains how to tell the difference between pink eye and allergies, what treatments may help, and how to help prevent the spread.
Pink eye and allergies can produce similar symptoms in and around the eyes. This is because they can lead to conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that protects the eyes and the inside of the eyelids.
Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when bacteria come into contact with the eye, usually due to direct contact with someone else who has the condition.
Viral conjunctivitis occurs when a person has a viral infection, such as a cold or flu, that then leads to eye symptoms. This type is also contagious.
Allergic conjunctivitis does not occur due to an infection, so it cannot spread. It occurs as a reaction to allergens coming into contact with the eyes. Less commonly, other things can lead to conjunctivitis, such as fungi, irritants, or parasites.
All types of conjunctivitis can cause the following symptoms:
However, some symptoms are more common in certain types of conjunctivitis than others. The table below summarizes the typical differences:
The early symptoms of viral, bacterial, and allergic conjunctivitis are all very similar. The eyes may start to feel irritated, look more red or bloodshot than usual, and water more.
However, allergic conjunctivitis usually occurs in both eyes at once. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can begin in one eye before spreading to the other.
To determine what kind of conjunctivitis a person has, a doctor will assess their history and look for distinctive symptoms of each condition.
Viral conjunctivitis occurs alongside a cold or respiratory tract infection. It also causes the eyes to produce thin, watery discharge. In contrast, bacterial conjunctivitis usually produces a thick discharge with a yellow or green color.
Itchiness is a distinctive symptom of allergic conjunctivitis. This symptom may be more intense than with other types of conjunctivitis and only occurs when a person is in certain situations or environments. This may indicate that the person is allergic to something around them, such as pollen or dust.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can go away without treatment, too, improving over 7 to 10 days. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to speed up recovery, limit the chance of complications, and reduce transmission to others. They usually come in the form of eye drops or an ointment.
Antibiotics are especially important in cases where the person has a compromised immune system or certain types of bacteria are present.
The best way to treat allergic conjunctivitis is to get the person away from the allergen that triggers their reaction. This could mean vacuuming and dusting to eliminate dust mites or staying indoors on days with a high pollen count, for example.
In cases where it is difficult or impossible to get away from an allergen, allergy medications such as antihistamines can help. A person can usually purchase these over the counter, but in more severe cases, a doctor can prescribe stronger medications.
Pink eye and allergies can both cause similar symptoms due to conjunctivitis. However, they have some distinctive symptoms that can help people tell them apart. Pink eye is more likely to cause thick discharge, whereas allergies are more likely to cause watery discharge and itchiness.
It is important to distinguish between bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis because they have different treatments. Mistaking pink eye for allergies could also mean a person does not take precautions to prevent its spread.
If a person is experiencing conjunctivitis symptoms that persist, get worse, or occur with concerning symptoms, such as vision changes or pain, it is best to speak with a doctor.
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