Pinkeye is inflammation of the think tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. It is commonly caused by a bacterial  or viral infection or an allergic reaction. It may affect one or both eyes. It is very contagious and as a result early diagnosis and treatment may help limit spread. Pink eye can be irritating  but  rarely affects vision.

Your hands become contaminated when  they come into direct contact with discharge from an infected eye or  by touching other surfaces that have been contaminated by respiratory tract secretions  and gets into the eyes.

What are the signs of pinkeye ?

There are several types of pink eye.  They include :

• Bacterial
  • red or pink , itchy painful eye
  • more than a tiny amount of yellow or green discharge
  • the eye that is infected may be crusted shut in the morning
  • may affect one or both eyes
• Viral
  • may affect only one eye
  • pink, swollen watery eyes which is sensitive to the sun
• Allergic
  • itching, redness  and excessive tearing
  • usually affects both eyes
• Chemical
  • red water eyes especially after swimming in chlorinated water
• Immune related such as in the case of systemic disease like Kawasaki disease

What are the incubation and contagious period ?

The incubation period is the time between being exposed to the disease and when the symptoms start. This period varies depending on the type of pink eye.

Bacterial :

• the incubation period is unknown. This is because  the bacteria  that causes it is commonly found in most people and do not cause infection.
• The contagious period ends when the course of medication is started or when symptoms are no longer present

Viral :

• may occur early in the course of a viral respiratory tract disease that has other signs
• the contagious period continues  while symptoms are present
• one type of viral conjunctivitis , adenovirus  may be contagious after the appearance of signs. Children with adenovirus infection are often ill with a fever, sore throat and other signs of respiratory tract infections.  The virus may uncommonly cause outbreaks in childcare and school settings. Medications (antibiotics) used to treat the virus does not help the patient or reduce it from spreading

Allergic

• occurs when one comes into contact with the agent that causes the allergic reaction
• the reaction may be immediate or delayed for hours or days  after the contact
• no contagious period is present

Chemical

• no contagious period
• usually appears shortly after contact with irritating substance

How is pink eye controlled ?

These steps can help you control pink eye. They include the following :

• consult a health professional for diagnosis and possible treatment . Most children with pink eye get better 5 to 6 days without  antibiotics. However antibiotics may shorten the course of the disease by a very small amount.
• you need to follow careful hand hygiene before and after touching the eyes , nose and mouth
• you need to carefully sanitize all objects that are commonly touched by hands or faces. These include
  • doorknob
  • telephones
  • table
  • toys
  • cuddle blankets

NOTE

The best method for preventing the spread of pink eye is practicing good  hand  hygiene.