The patient has a weakened immune system. However, you may need antibiotic eye drops if the condition worsens. Pink eye caused by bacteria usually clears up by itself within one to two weeks. Unlike the watery discharge of the viral form, bacterial pink eye produces a thick white, yellow or green discharge from the affected eye(s). It spreads just like any other contagious infection: coughs and sneezes, unwashed hands and direct contact. It can be caused by many common types of bacteria, including staph and strep, as well those that cause ear and sinus infections and pneumonia. SEE RELATED: Are red eyes a symptom of COVID-19? Bacterial conjunctivitisīacterial pink eye is also highly contagious. You can also ask your eye doctor about safe home treatments for pink eye symptoms. Your eye doctor may prescribe other medicated eye drops to help you feel more comfortable and decrease the risk of spreading the virus. However, it usually goes away by itself after a short time. Since antibiotics aren't effective against viruses, there is no cure for viral pink eye. Common signs and symptoms include burning or itchy, red eyes with clear, watery discharge. The viral form usually starts in one eye (unilateral) and then spreads to both (bilateral). And, in rare cases, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 can also cause viral pink eye. Molluscum contagiosum (a poxvirus infection) can cause chronic pink eye if it enters the eyes. For example, herpes viruses can cause a more serious form of pink eye. It can also develop along with a cold, flu or other respiratory infection caused by a virus.Īdenoviruses are extremely common, but less-common viruses can also cause viral pink eye. Swimming pools can harbor the viruses that cause pink eye, and so can personal items like towels and pillowcases. It can spread through respiratory droplets (from coughs and sneezes) or by touching your eye before washing your hands. Since it is caused by a virus, usually an adenovirus, it is extremely contagious. This is the most common type of pink eye. Viral and bacterial pink eye are both infectious and very contagious. However, not all infectious germs are contagious. When something is infectious, that means it’s caused by a germ that can make you sick in some way. Usually, the term pink eye is used to indicate the viral type, but it sometimes refers to the bacterial type as well. The infectious types are those caused by viruses and bacteria. Individually, however, each has its own set of causes, risk factors and treatments. These include ophthalmia neonatorum, giant papillary conjunctivitis and toxic conjunctivitis. There are also several less-common subtypes within the larger groups. Many other types of eye irritants can cause conjunctivitis - including chemicals. However, it’s not the only non-contagious type. The viral and bacterial types are both very contagious infections, so it makes sense to group them together as “infectious.” Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. The other two groupings use different terms to include a wider range of causes. The “viral, bacterial and allergic” grouping is based on the most common causes. The different ways of grouping the types can be a little confusing. Some sources use chemical in place of irritant. You may see the types listed as viral, bacterial and allergic, or as infectious, allergic and irritant. Generally, they are grouped into three main types, depending on their causes. There are many types of conjunctivitis (often called pink eye).
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