What all parents should know about pink eye:
- Pink eye (medical term = conjunctivitis) refers to inflammation of the whites of the eyes and inner eyelids. On exam the eyes are red and there is often discharge that can range from thin and clear to thick and green.
- Pink eye can be caused by many things. It is most often due to a virus, bacteria, or allergies. Doctors can’t always tell which of these is the culprit because they can all present similarly.
- Most viral and bacterial cases of pink eye will resolve on their own without treatment. This means that there is a good chance that your child won’t need antibiotic eye drops. If symptoms are mild, it is okay to wait a few days to see if it gets better on its own.
- Both viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious, so it is always a good idea to do lots of hand washing and avoid touching your face/eyes if there is pink eye in the home.
- In Colorado, kids do not have to stay home from school or daycare if they have pink eye. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) How Sick is Too Sick? guidelines for pink eye state “Children and adults do not need to stay home unless they have a fever or are not able to participate in usual activities.”