How do I know if pink eye is viral or bacterial?

Viral pink eye usually starts in one eye following a cold or respiratory infection and causes watery discharge. Bacterial pink eye can affect one or both eyes and usually starts with a respiratory or ear infection. The discharge tends to be thick and makes the eyes stick together.

How can you tell the difference between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis?

Bacterial conjunctivitis normally causes a yellow or green sticky discharge. Viral conjunctivitis normally causes a watery discharge.

How do I know if I need antibiotics for pink eye?

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Antibiotics may help shorten the length of infection, reduce complications, and reduce the spread to others. Antibiotics may be necessary in the following cases: With discharge (pus) When conjunctivitis occurs in people whose immune system is compromised.

Should I go to the doctor for viral pink eye?

Although most cases of pink eye go away without a doctor's care, if you are experiencing any severe symptoms, or if your symptoms do not go away on their own, you may require emergency eye care. If you have a newborn with symptoms of pink eye, they should be seen by an eye doctor immediately.

Are most cases of pink eye viral or bacterial?

Most cases of acute, infectious conjunctivitis in adults are viral and self-limited; these cases do not require antimicrobial treatment. Antiviral medication may be used to treat more serious forms of conjunctivitis, such as conjunctivitis caused by herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus.

Acute Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) | Allergic, Bacterial, Viral | Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

How do I know what kind of pink eye I have?

What color is viral pink eye?

People often call conjunctivitis “pink eye” because it can cause the white of the eye to take on a pink or red color. Symptoms of pink eye can vary but typically include redness or swelling of the white of the eye.

Can bacterial pink eye clear up on its own?

However, according to ophthalmologists bacterial conjunctivitis often goes away on its own, and the practice of treating everyone “just in case” is irresponsible.

What does viral pink eye feel like?

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is the inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and eyeball. It's characterized by redness and a gritty sensation in your eye, along with itching. Often a discharge forms a crust on your eyelashes during the night.

How long should you quarantine after getting pink eye?

A rough guide to when it is safe to return to work or school is: Bacterial pink eye: After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. Viral pink eye: After 2 days to about a week. Allergic pink eye: No need to stay home.

Will antibiotic eye drops help viral pink eye?

In most cases, you won't need antibiotic eye drops. Since conjunctivitis is usually viral, antibiotics won't help. They may even cause harm by reducing their effectiveness in the future or causing a medicine reaction. Instead, the virus needs time to run its course.

What happens if you don't treat bacterial pink eye?

Left untreated, certain types of pink eye (the bacterial varieties) can lead to infections of the cornea, eyelids and even tear ducts. Better to be safe than sorry! Ophthalmia neonatorum is a severe form of bacterial conjunctivitis that can occur in newborn babies.

What is the fastest way to cure pink eye at home?

Viral conjunctivitis

Common treatments include: lubricating eye drops or ointment. antihistamines or decongestants. hot or cold compresses.

Is viral pink eye worse than bacterial conjunctivitis?

Viral basically means you have a cold in your eye — in fact, you'll often have it along with a cold or upper respiratory infection. Bacterial pink eye often occurs along with an ear or strep infection. It usually causes a lot more mucus and irritation than other pink eye causes.

How do I know if it's viral or bacterial?

Does viral pink eye cause crusty eyes?

Some people experience morning crusting that continues for up to two weeks after the initial symptoms, although the daytime redness, irritation, and tearing should be much improved. (See 'Viral conjunctivitis treatment' below.)

How long does viral pink eye take to clear up?

Pink eye is commonly caused by viruses or bacteria. Depending on the cause of your child's pink eye, signs and symptoms usually improve within a few days to two weeks.

What is the contagious period for pink eye?

Pinkeye that's caused by bacteria can spread to others as soon as symptoms appear and for as long as there's discharge from the eye — or until 24 hours after antibiotics are started. Conjunctivitis that's caused by a virus is generally contagious before symptoms appear and can remain so as long as the symptoms last.

Do you need prescription eye drops for pink eye?

Pink eye is something that the body can fight off on its own. There is no curative treatment for viral conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis can resolve without treatment, or it may be treated by prescription medications.

Should I stay home with bacterial conjunctivitis?

If you have conjunctivitis but do not have fever or other symptoms, you may be allowed to remain at work or school with your doctor's approval. However, if you still have symptoms, and your activities at work or school include close contact with other people, you should not attend.

How do you get rid of bacterial pink eye at home?

How long can pink eye live on sheets?

The virus can be survive on surfaces for up to two weeks. To help prevent the spread of infection: Avoid touching your eyes with your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.

What drops to use for viral pink eye?

Ciprofloxacin. This antibiotic comes as a topical ointment or solution. It can be used once every 2 hours, or less often until the infection starts to clear. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

How do doctors treat viral pink eye?

With antibiotic treatment, symptoms usually go away in 2 to 3 days. But antibiotics only work for bacterial pinkeye, not for the more common viral pinkeye. Viral pinkeye often clears on its own in 7 to 10 days. If your symptoms last longer, call your doctor.

Are there different stages of pink eye?

Stages of viral pink eye

It might feel scratchy or like something is stuck in it. Itchiness and irritation will become more noticeable as time passes. Eventually, the white part of the affected eye(s) (the sclera) will look more and more pink or red.