Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)
Conjunctivitis is redness and inflammation of the membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelid. Pinkeye is a common infection in young children.
Cause
Bacteria, viruses, allergies, eye injuries, or chemicals.
Symptoms
Includes redness, itching, pain, and discharge, depending on the cause. Bacterial conjunctivitis can sometimes be distinguished from other forms of conjunctivitis by a more purulent (pus) discharge.
Spread
Touching the secretions from the eyes, nose, or mouth of infected persons.
Incubation
It takes about 1 to 12 days after exposure for symptoms to begin, usually 1 to 3 days.
Contagious Period
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are infectious while there is discharge from the eye. Conjunctivitis caused by chemicals or allergies is not infectious.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: None, unless the child has fever or behavior changes, or the child is unable to participate and staff members determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for other children in the group.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider if their child has redness of eyes and/or eyelids with pus and/or fever or eye pain.
Treatment
Antibiotic treatment (eye ointment or drops) is occasionally prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis. If the infection appears to be viral, most cases require only symptomatic treatment however; severe cases may need treatment with antivirals and other medications.
Prevention/Control
- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Encourage children not to rub eyes. Keep the child's eyes wiped free of discharge. Avoid contact with eye drainage.
- Viral conjunctivitis spread may also occur through contact with infected upper respiratory droplets, fomites, and contaminated swimming pools. Isolation precautions may be needed for at least 2 weeks or as long as the eyes are red and weeping.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after contact with eye drainage.
- DO NOT share any articles, such as towels and washcloths, eye makeup, contact lens solution, or eye drops.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects, and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Pink Eye Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is redness and soreness of the eye.
If you think your child has Pink Eye:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
No, unless the child has fever or behavior changes, or the child is unable to participate and staff members determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for other children in the group.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
Your child may have redness, itching, pain, and drainage from the eyes. Your child may have a fever.
If your child is infected, it usually takes 1 to 3 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By touching secretions from the eyes, nose, or mouth.
- By touching contaminated hands, objects, or surfaces.
Contagious Period
While symptoms are present.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If your child has thick drainage from the eye. Your doctor will decide if treatment is needed.
- Antibiotic treatment may be prescribed. If the infection is caused by a virus, antiviral treatment may be needed.
Prevention
- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with secretions from the eyes, mouth, or nose. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect objects that come in contact with the secretions from the eyes, mouth, or nose. Use a product that kills bacteria and viruses.
- DO NOT share anything that touches the eyes, such as towels and washcloths, eye makeup, contact lens solution, or eye drops.
- Discourage rubbing and touching the eyes. Keep the child's eyes wiped free of drainage.
- Use a cotton-tipped swab to apply medication.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.