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Conjunctivitis or pink eye causes itchy, painful, and red eyes. It depends on what type of pink eye you have.
Pink eye. Pink eye usually resolves within 7-10 days. However, some people will need to be treated.
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Most people need to take antibiotics for five days. Doctors will tell you when it is safe to return to school or work. However, people shouldn’t attend while they are ill and working with others.
Pink eye can be contagious for up to 14 days. It can sometimes take up to three weeks for the condition to heal.
The pink eye caused by an allergy is contagious. It will usually clear up after the person has moved away from their allergen.
How long can pink eye last for?
Pink eye can be caused by bacterial, viral, or allergic causes. How long it takes for a pink eye to heal depends on the type.
1. Allergic pink Eye
40% of the population is susceptible to allergy conjunctivitis. This occurs when the eye reacts with allergens such as:
- grass
- animal dander
- dust
- mold
- pollen
- ragweed
Symptoms can also be caused by exposure to chemicals like chlorine.
Allergic conjunctivitis does not spread.
If a person is able to move away from allergens, the condition will improve more quickly. Some people will need eyedrops or other medications to prevent allergic conjunctivitis.
2. Viral pink eye
The virus that causes pink eye includes Source
- Adenovirus: Up to 90% of all cases are caused by this virus.
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). HSV is responsible for approximately 1.3-4.8% of cases.
- Acute hemorrhagic keratitis: This is a less common but highly contagious condition that is spread by eye-to-eye contact or touching surfaces with the virus.
- COVID-19: Between 1 % and 6 % of those infected with the virus will develop pink eye. The virus can be transmitted through eye tissue and discharge.
Viral pink eye can:
- An infection that has spread from the nose to the eyes is the cause of the symptoms
- Spread from one eye to the other
- Droplets of sneezing or cough are able to transmit the virus.
- Upper respiratory infection and Cold can both cause these symptoms.
- The cause may also be associated with other symptoms such as fever or muscle aches.
The viral pink eye can be contagious from 10-14 Days, but it may take between 14-30 Days for the condition to completely disappear.
3. Bacterial pink eye
A mild pink eye infection caused by bacteria usually lasts for about one week. It can take up to two weeks for the infection to completely disappear without treatment.
After 3-4 day, you should see improvement. The person must finish the entire course of antibiotics or the condition may return.
If the pink eye doesn’t improve after a few days, it may be viral and not bacterial.
4. Uveitis, and other causes
Sometimes, symptoms of conjunctivitis can be caused by an autoimmune condition.
Examples include:
- Uveitis can occur in conjunction with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Cellulitis of the eye
- A fistula can be caused by circulatory problems
Sometimes inflammation occurs for no apparent cause.
The pink eye that affects these types of people is not contagious. They need medical attention as they can lead to complications.
What is pink eye?
can be used to spread viral or bacterial pinkeye from one person (or animal) to another via a trusted source .
- Sharing personal hygiene items or other items
- Shaking hands or other personal close contact
- Using makeup that is dirty or has accumulated bacteria
- Touching the eye with dirty fingers
- Contact lenses should not be used in areas where there are pathogens
- Handling items that contain bacteria or viruses and then touching your eyes
- Coughing and sneezing
- Touching an infected and then the opposite eye
The pink eye may also be the symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, like COVID-19 and gonococcal infections.
Seven signs that pink eye is contagious
Contagious pink eye is more likely to occur when bacterial or viral symptoms are present.
Seven signs of conjunctivitis are:
- Sticky eyes or discharge from the eye
- Crusty eyelashes and lids
- swelling of the eyelids
- burning sensation
- tearing up
- Red or pink on the whites of your eyes
- Grittiness or irritation in the eyes
The daycare, school or workplace might ask the person to not return until they have recovered from their symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding pink eye.
Does pink eye disappear on its own?
It can take 1 to 2 weeks for a mild pink eye infection to clear up without treatment. However, it may take as long as 30 Days. If the pink eye infection persists or doesn’t respond to treatment after this period, you should consult your doctor.
What is the fastest way to get rid of pinkeye?
Antibiotics can speed up healing for bacterial pink eyes. Viral pink eyes will heal themselves. You can also take over-the counter painkillers to relieve the symptoms.
When can I safely return to school or work?
When pink eye is contagious, it’s best to avoid close contact, like at work or in school, until the symptoms have cleared. When it’s safe to resume normal activities, a doctor can give you advice.
How long can pink eye virus or bacteria survive on surfaces?
Pink eye bacteria usually only live on surfaces for 2-8 hours . However, some can be active for up to 2 days. Viruses can last for longer. They are often active for 24 to 48 hours. However, some viruses remain effective for up 8 weeks.
Takeaway
Pink eye, though common and painful at times, is usually not a cause for concern. People should avoid other people until the symptoms have cleared, because it is highly contagious.
Once symptoms are gone, most people can go back to work, school or daycare. Pink eye usually goes away by itself, but antibiotics can be used to treat the discomfort and clear up a bacterial infection faster.
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