Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Help protect yourself from getting and spreading Pink Eye (conjunctivitis)

<< Back

Help protect yourself from getting and spreading Pink Eye (conjunctivitis)

 

Help protect yourself from getting and spreading Pink Eye (conjunctivitis) (text equivalent)

Pink eye is extremely common.

Public school kids in the U.S. miss 3 million school days each year as a result of pink eye.

Pink eye is often highly contagious.

It can be caused by

  • Viruses (very contagious)
  • Bacteria (very contagious)
  • Allergens, like pollen (not contagious)
  • Irritants, like smoke or dust (not contagious)

Symptoms usually include:

  • Redness or swelling
  • Watery eyes
  • A gritty feel
  • Itchiness, irritation, or burning
  • Discharge
  • Crusting of the eyelids or lashes

See a doctor if you have pink eye along with any of the following:

  • Eye pain
  • Sensitivity to light or blurred vision
  • Intense eye redness
  • Symptoms that get worse or don’t improve
  • A weakened immune system, for example from HIV or cancer treatment
  • Pre-existing eye conditions

A doctor can usually diagnose the cause of pink eye based on symptoms and patient history.

Newborns with symptoms of pink eye should see a doctor right away.

Protect yourself and others from pink eye

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, and help young children do the same. Wash hands especially well after touching someone with pink eye or their personal items.
  • Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. This can worsen the condition or spread it to your other eye.
  • Avoid sharing personal items, such as makeup, eye drops, towels, bedding, contact lenses and containers, and eyeglasses.
  • Do not use the same eye products for your infected and non-infected eyes.
  • Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor says it’s okay.
  • Clean, store, and replace your contact lenses as instructed by your eye doctor.

Graphics

  • Healthy eye
  • Infected eye
  • Illustration of normal, healthy eye
  • Illustration of bloodshot eyeball with green and clear discharge along upper and lower eyelid
  • Female doctor shining light into inflamed eye of a young girl
  • Adult hand holding child’s hand under running water and soap bar

Top of Page

TOP