Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a common infection especially among children under five.
Children with conjunctivitis must be kept home from school or day care until the discharge from their eyes has stopped. This will prevent the spread of infection to other children. The incidence of conjunctivitis decreases with age.

Conjunctivitis symptoms

Conjunctivitis leads to:

• Eye irritation and redness
• Excessive tears in the eyes
• A discharge with pus
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Photophobia (you can’t tolerate looking into sunlight).

The symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected and last from two days to three weeks.

How you develop conjunctivitis

You could develop conjunctivitis if you come into contact with:

• Discharge from the eyes, nose or throat of an infected person
• Contaminated fingers or objects.

Conjunctivitis can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal delivery.

Confirming that you have conjunctivitis

Your doctor will take a sample of the discharge from your eye. This will be examined under a microscope or grown in a culture to determine if it is conjunctivitis.

Antibiotic eye drops are necessary

If you develop conjunctivitis you will need antibiotic eye drops or ointment to:

• Treat the infection
• Help prevent the spread of conjunctivitis.

You will remain infectious as long as there is a discharge from your eye.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Department of Health Victoria Tel. 1300 651 160.
• Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Things to remember

• Conjunctivitis is an infectious eye condition
• Symptoms last from two days to three weeks
• Children with conjunctivitis should be kept home from school
• You will remain infectious as long as you have an eye discharge.

You might also be interested in:

• Eye disorders - some common problems.
  
• Eyes - blocked tear duct.
  
• Eyes explained.
  
• Infections - bacterial and viral.
  

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Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: April 2010

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Conjunctivitis?open">Conjunctivitis - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Conjunctivitis is an eye infection caused by a bacteria or virus. Symptoms include eye redness, a discharge and swollen lids. Conjunctivitis is treated with antibacterial eye drops or ointment. Children must not attend school or child care if they have conjunctivitis.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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