conjunctivitis

Date of exposure ______________________________

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

What is it?
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is an infection or irritation of the eye. It can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses, often accompanying a respiratory illness (e.g., cold or ear infection). It can also be caused by chemicals (e.g., smoke, make-up), allergies (e.g.,pollen), and other irritants (e.g.,dust). Conjunctivitis causes redness of the whites of the eyes and watery eyes. It can also cause yellowish or greenish discharge from the eyes, and crusty eyelashes when the child wakes up. Children might complain of a gritty or itchy feeling in the eyes and sensitivity to light. Conjunctivitis can begin in one eye but usually ends up involving both eyes. The symptoms typically last for 3-5 days.

How is it spread?
Infectious conjunctivitis (i.e., caused by bacteria or virus) is spread by contact with secretions from the eye, nasal mucus and saliva. It can spread through drolets coughed or sneezed into the air, and secretions on hands, tissues, linens, and make-up.

When is it contagious?
Conjunctivitis is contagious only when it is caused by bacteria or viruses; not by chemicals or allergies. Infectious conjunctivitis is contagious from 1-2 days before the symptoms appear until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment is started (for bacterial conjunctivitis); and there is no redness or discharge from the eyes (for viral conunctivitis). After exposure to conjunctivitis, it usually takes 2-3 days to develop the infection.

How is it diagnosed and treated?
Children with conjunctivitis should be seen by their health care provider. The health provider might prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to treat infectious conjunctivitis.

Should the child stay home?
A child with infectious conjunctivitis should stay home until 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment and until there is no discharge from the eyes.

How can we limit the spread?

Encourage children not to rub their eyes.
Have children wash their hands after touching their eyes and nose.
Use disposable tissues and paper towels. Do not share handkerchiefs, washcloths, hand towels, or bed linen.
Wash your hands well after touching the child's eyes, applying eye medication, and blowing noses.

Links to check our for more information
Child Care Healthline	www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org
Calif. Dept. of Social Services	www.ccld.ca.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	www.cdc.gov
American Academy of Pediatrics	www.aap.org
National Institute of Health	http://www.nih.gov

Information provided on this page is not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of medical treatment. The recommendations do not indicate a course of treatment or medical care.

These are guidelines to develop policies and procedures for preventing, recognizing and managing communicable disease in child care. If the children in your care have been exposed to this disease, you may copy this exposure notice and hand out to your day care parents.

This Exposure Notice has been copied from "Keeping Kids Healthy, Preventing and Managing Communicable Disease in Child Care", a project of the The Center for Health Training funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division.