Millions of children every year are diagnosed with pink eye. It is highly contagious but treatable. Unfortunately, many children have symptoms of pink eye for over two weeks which can put those around at risk for contracting pink eye.
What to do if you Suspect Pink Eye
If you suspect your child has pink eye, you should take them to a pediatric eye doctor for an evaluation. The doctor can make a proper diagnosis as sometimes allergies or cold viruses can mimic the same symptoms of pink eye.
One difference between allergies and pink eye is that allergies usually affect both eyes, but pink eye usually affects one but can spread to the other eye.
Pink eye is caused by either a bacteria or a virus. If it is caused by bacteria, the doctor can give prescription eye drops to treat pink eye. If it is viral, then there is no medication that the doctor can provide for symptom relief. Your child’s pink eye will heal with time.
For How Long Is Pink Eye Contagious?
Pink eye is very contagious in children. As stated earlier, symptoms can last for two weeks, and the child can spread pink eye during this time. Some helpful tips to reduce the spread of pink eye include:
- Use clean towels and fresh sheets. This helps with spreading the virus to others but to help the child with pink eye from spreading it to their other eye.
- Cleaning the child’s glasses can help reduce the spread of pink eye from one eye to another eye.
- Have your child wash their hands frequently and wash their hands well. Good hand hygiene is also essential for anyone around the child who has pink eye to reduce the risk of contraction.
Can My Child go to School if They Have Pink Eye?
Pink eye can quickly spread from one child to another in a classroom setting. For children who are not quite school age, it can be challenging to keep them from touching their eyes. They might also touch a toy or book, spreading the bacteria or virus.
School-age children also often share school supplies, play together at recess, and are usually close to one another throughout the day. Unfortunately, children are also not always the best at washing their hands properly.
If your child has pink eye, it is best to stay home until seen by a pediatric eye doctor. If it is bacterial, usually, they can go back to the classroom 24 hours after treatment is started. If it is viral, they may need to stay home from school until symptoms reside.
Where Can I Find a Pediatric Eye Doctor Near Me?
If you suspect pink eye, our doctors at Pediatric Eye Associates are here for you!
Our doctors, Amy Lambert, MD, and Rachel Bloom, MD, are board-certified pediatric ophthalmologists. Dr. Lambert, the Pediatric Eye Associates, LLC, is also a board-certified strabismus surgeon, and Dr. Bloom is also fellowship-trained.
Our child eye doctors are experts at meeting your children’s eye and vision needs. We pride ourselves on the results we achieve with our patients, and we believe the key is not just our medical expertise but also attitude and patience with the children.
Our motto is “to provide the highest quality eye care for children in a setting that is comfortable and reassuring.”
Contact us if you’d like to schedule an appointment at our office or have any questions regarding Pediatric Eye Associates. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health
