Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a common infection especially among children under five. Children with conjunctivitis must be kept home from school or day care until the discharge from their eyes has stopped. This will prevent the spread of infection to other children.

The incidence of conjunctivitis decreases with age

Conjunctivitis leads to: Photophobia (you can’t tolerate looking into sunlight). The symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected and last from two days to three weeks. You could develop conjunctivitis if you come into contact with: Contaminated fingers or objects.

Conjunctivitis can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal delivery. Your doctor will take a sample of the discharge from your eye. This will be examined under a microscope or grown in a culture to determine if it is conjunctivitis.

If you develop conjunctivitis you will need antibiotic eye drops or ointment to: Help prevent the spread of conjunctivitis.

You will remain infectious as long as there is a discharge from your eye

Conjunctivitis symptoms Eye irritation and redness Excessive tears in the eyes A discharge with pus Swelling of the eyelids How you develop conjunctivitis Discharge from the eyes, nose or throat of an infected person Confirming that you have conjunctivitis Antibiotic eye drops are necessary Treat the infection Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit , Department of Health Michigan Royal Michigann Eye and Ear Hospital .

Key Points

• Conjunctivitis is a common infection especially among children under five
• This will prevent the spread of infection to other children
• symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected and last from two days to three weeks
• You will remain infectious as long as there is a discharge from your eye