[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/how-long-is-pink-eye-contagious\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/how-long-is-pink-eye-contagious\/","headline":"How Long Is Pink Eye Contagious?","name":"How Long Is Pink Eye Contagious?","description":"How long is pink eye contagious? Pink eye, in kids and adults, is troublesome but rarely cause for serious medical concern.","datePublished":"2018-09-13","dateModified":"2021-01-08","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","name":"Urgent Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urgent-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/how-long-is-pink-eye-contagious.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/how-long-is-pink-eye-contagious.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/how-long-is-pink-eye-contagious\/","about":["Eye Health"],"wordCount":657,"articleBody":"Updated January 6, 2021Do you have red, watery eyes that just won\u2019t stop itching? If so, you could have pink eye.Pink eye, or conjunctivitis,\u00a0is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. Symptoms can include watery, itchy eyes, sticky eye discharge that can cause the eyelids to stick together, and light sensitivity.There are three kinds of pink eye, and not all types are contagious.Bacterial Pink EyeBacterial pink eye is often caused by exposure to the same bacteria that causes a staph infection or strep throat, according to the National Eye Institute.Bacterial pink eye\u00a0is highly contagious and is typically treated with antibiotic eye drops. It can spread to others as soon as symptoms appear, and it remains contagious for as long as symptoms remain, or for about 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics.Symptoms of bacterial pink eye include:Puss and mucus dischargeEar infectionPinkness or redness in the whites of the eyesPrevention of Bacterial Pink EyeBecause it is spread by hand-to-eye contact or eye contact with an infected object, it is important to practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly and wearing goggles when swimming.If your condition worsens, consider visiting a\u00a0UPMC Urgent Care location\u00a0. If you\u2019re unable to visit one of our locations, consider making a\u00a0UPMC AnywhereCare\u00a0online appointment.Viral Pink EyeThe most common type of pink eye is viral pink eye. Antibiotics don\u2019t work on this, so it usually just must run its course. Viral pink eye is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, such as a cold or respiratory infection, and it is also highly contagious.Signs and symptoms of viral pink eye can include:Watery discharge from the eyeOne infected eye, and the other eye also eventually becomes infected as wellOther illness, such as cold, flu, or other respiratory infectionViral Pink Eye PreventionSimilar to bacterial pink eye, viral pink eye can be spread through hand-to-eye contact or by touching objects that that are contaminated with the virus. To avoid spreading this virus, avoid touching your eyes, but if you do, wash your hands immediately. According to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u00a0(CDC), proper handwashing means getting your hands wet first, then lathering with soap. Make sure to scrub your palms, and, if possible, stay home from work or school.Viral pink eye can take several days to several weeks to clear up, and it can be transmittable to others the entire time.Allergic and Chemical Pink EyePink eye can also be caused by allergies, wind, sun, smoke, or chemicals (chemical pink eye). For example, someone may experience eye irritation after exposure to animal dander or swimming in a chlorinated pool. These types of pink eye are not contagious.Pink Eye Risk FactorsRisk factors for pink eye can include:Wearing hard or rigid contact lenses, sharing lenses, or not changing your lenses frequentlyTouching your eye with unclean handsUsing contaminated eye makeupTreating Pink EyeTreating pink eye mostly involves making your eyes feel better and making sure you don\u2019t spread the disease. One short-term remedy involves gently cleaning around your eyes with a smooth wet cloth or cotton ball to sooth your eye. Or, lie down with a cold, wet cloth gently draped across your closed eyes.Avoid wearing eye makeup or\u00a0contact lenses\u00a0until your pink eye is gone in order to keep the makeup tools and lenses sterile. Also, do not share pillowcases, towels, or washcloths with others. If your pink eye doesn\u2019t go away or start to feel better after a week, be sure to see your doctor.Call your doctor if you experience pink eye symptoms. If your condition worsens, consider visiting a\u00a0UPMC Urgent Care location. If you\u2019re unable to visit one of our locations, consider making a\u00a0UPMC AnywhereCare\u00a0online appointment. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Long Is Pink Eye Contagious?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/how-long-is-pink-eye-contagious\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]