Conjunctivitis (EYE FLU/PINK EYES/SORE EYES) is a contagious disease that causes inflammation of conjunctiva (thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye). Symptoms include redness, foreign body sensation, watering and discharge with matting of lashes .Infectious forms of conjunctivitis are highly contagious, being spread by direct contact with infected people. You can greatly reduce the risk of getting conjunctivitis or spreading it to someone else by following some simple good hygiene steps.
CDC Guidelines to prevent spread of infection
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
- With clean hands, wash any discharge from around your eye(s) several times a day using a clean, wet washcloth or fresh cotton ball.
- Do not use the same eye drop dispenser/bottle for your infected and non-infected eyes.
- Wash pillowcases, sheets, washcloths, and towels often in hot water and detergent; wash your hands after handling such items.
- Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor says it’s okay to start wearing them again.
- Clean eyeglasses, being careful not to contaminate items (like hand towels) that might be shared by other people.
- Clean, store, and replace your contact lenses as instructed by your eye doctor.
- Do not share personal items, such as pillows, towels, eye drops, eye makeup, contact lenses and eyeglasses.
10. Do not use swimming pools
People with viral conjunctivitis may be contagious for nearly 2 weeks. Children may return to school when the redness and discharge in their eyes subsides (usually after 2 weeks). Despite taking all precautions, in case you get conjunctivitis, consult your ophthalmologist and start medicines as recommended by doctor