How to Stop the Spread of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can occur in people of all ages, arising from three common causes: allergies and viral or bacterial infections.

Allergic conjunctivitis doesn’t spread to other people, but viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious.

Our team at Eye Care & Surgery helps children and adults find relief from their pink eye symptoms. While the infection heals, you can stop it from spreading by learning how it travels and following these tips.

How the infection spreads

Children tend to pick up viral and bacterial pink eye from close contact with other kids. Adults often get it from unclean contact lenses and infected surfaces in a gym or public facility. People sharing the same household can easily pass it to one another.

No matter where you catch the infection, viral and bacterial pink eye spread by direct contact. Take the following steps to lower the risk of spreading conjunctivitis.

Don’t touch your eyes

With pink eye symptoms like burning, itching, pain, and blurry vision, it’s challenging to avoid touching your eyes. You want relief, so you may reach up to ease the irritation. 

Viruses or bacteria transfer to your hands, and then the microorganisms spread to anyone or any surface you touch. You can prevent this problem by not touching your eyes.

Frequently wash your hands

Wash your hands frequently using soap for 20 seconds. And wash your hands before and after applying eye treatments. If you're not near a sink, use a hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol.

Care for your infected eyes

You lower your risk of spreading the infection by washing your eyes to eliminate the discharge. Cotton balls are convenient because you can throw them away. If you use a washcloth, use it once and then wash it in hot water.

Stop wearing contact lenses

Don't use your contact lenses until the pink eye infection clears up or your eye doctor tells you it’s OK to use them.

Clean eyeglasses

The infection can spread to your eyeglasses, so clean them more often than usual. If you use a washcloth or towel, only use it once, then put it in the washing machine.

Don’t share personal items

Don’t share any personal items that could carry the microorganisms, including:

• Clothing
• Pillows
• Towels and washcloths
• Makeup and makeup brushes

Avoid eye makeup

Your eye makeup may become contaminated if you use it during an active pink eye infection.

Temporarily avoid public places

Stay away from any public space where you’re likely to get close to or come into contact with other people. Examples include swimming pools, gyms, video arcades, and crowded stores or theaters.

Stay up-to-date with vaccinations

There aren’t any vaccinations for pink eye. But vaccinations prevent the following viral and bacterial diseases that may cause conjunctivitis:

• Type B influenza
• Measles
• Rubella
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Pneumococcal diseases (pneumonia, middle ear infections, sinusitis, and meningitis)

Seek an early diagnosis

Several eye conditions (that are not contagious but potentially serious) cause symptoms similar to pink eye. For this reason, it’s vital to visit your eye doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.

You’ll learn if you have a contagious but minor condition like pink eye. If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, we may treat it with an antibacterial treatment. 

There aren’t medications for viral conjunctivitis. But we can recommend treatments to ease your symptoms while your body fights the virus.

Alternatively, you’ll learn if you have another eye problem that needs different treatment or could progress to affect your vision.

Eye conditions with similar symptoms include:

• Dry eye (your eyes don’t make enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly)
• Uveitis (inflamed and swollen iris or uvea in the middle layer of the eyeball)
• Keratitis (open sore and inflammation in the cornea, the transparent membrane covering your eye)
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma (different from the more common open-angle glaucoma), which needs emergency treatment because fluids and pressure suddenly build up in the eye

These conditions can damage your eyes and without treatment, lead to vision loss.

Expert pink eye care

Our Eye Care & Surgery team is available to answer your questions, examine your eyes, and determine whether you have pink eye or another condition. Call our nearest office or schedule an appointment online today.

Our offices are located in the Bronx and the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, New York City.