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I Think I May Have Pink Eye Based On Redness
Question: I think I may have pink eye based on redness / itchiness since yesterday afternoon. Tried drops and flushing last night, still red and itchy this morning. I have work meetings to attend later. Would an eye doctor be able to make a determination between viral and bacterial causes quickly? My understanding is viral conjunctivitis is heavily contagious whereas bacterial is less so. If I could quickly know which I have, it would allow me to make a better decision about work.
Brief Answer:
Probably viral
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. The difference between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can usually be determined by the discharge coming from the eye. Both with have some crusting with the eye being stuck shut in the morning, but with bacterial conjunctivitis, the discharge is typically thick white, yellow, or green color, and it continues throughout the day, and often has to be continuously wiped away. With viral conjunctivitis, on the other hand, the discharge is typically watery or just mucous.
Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious, though with antibiotics the time that bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious can be shortened. Viral conjunctivitis will remain contagious as long as there is discharge, which may last up to a few weeks.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further. Also, if you want to send a picture of your eye and the discharge, I might be able to help clarify whether you have bacterial or viral conjunctivitis if needed.
Probably viral
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. The difference between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can usually be determined by the discharge coming from the eye. Both with have some crusting with the eye being stuck shut in the morning, but with bacterial conjunctivitis, the discharge is typically thick white, yellow, or green color, and it continues throughout the day, and often has to be continuously wiped away. With viral conjunctivitis, on the other hand, the discharge is typically watery or just mucous.
Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious, though with antibiotics the time that bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious can be shortened. Viral conjunctivitis will remain contagious as long as there is discharge, which may last up to a few weeks.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further. Also, if you want to send a picture of your eye and the discharge, I might be able to help clarify whether you have bacterial or viral conjunctivitis if needed.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks. I had some light crusting this morning...not enough to prevent opening my eye. Discharge seems like a watery version of normal eye mucous. My eye was watering fairly continuously yesterday. It seems a little less itchy today versus how it felt yesterday afternoon / evening.
Based on what you said, sounds like I probably have viral conjunctivitis.
I have to get on a plane tomorrow (I'm traveling for work, this is the flight home, the timing of this infection is just awful). Aside from general hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing and disposing of things I touch, is there anything else I can do to minimize the spread to others?
Based on what you said, sounds like I probably have viral conjunctivitis.
I have to get on a plane tomorrow (I'm traveling for work, this is the flight home, the timing of this infection is just awful). Aside from general hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing and disposing of things I touch, is there anything else I can do to minimize the spread to others?
Brief Answer:
General hygiene is all you can do
Detailed Answer:
Those things you mentioned are all I know that can be done to limit the spread of the virus causing conjunctivitis. Of course, not touching your eye is important in limiting the spread; also washing your hands and things you touch is important, as you mentioned.
Even with doing all that you can, sometimes it will still be spread, just as cold would be spread.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
General hygiene is all you can do
Detailed Answer:
Those things you mentioned are all I know that can be done to limit the spread of the virus causing conjunctivitis. Of course, not touching your eye is important in limiting the spread; also washing your hands and things you touch is important, as you mentioned.
Even with doing all that you can, sometimes it will still be spread, just as cold would be spread.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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