Do I Need to Stay Home With Pink Eye?

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is a common eye infection that causes redness, swelling, and irritation in the eye. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, or irritants. But do you need to stay home when it happens? The answer depends on its cause and your pink eye treatment. 

Understanding different causes and treatments will help you make the best decision.

Viral Pink Eye

Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and is usually caused by the same viruses that trigger the common cold. You must stay home from work, school, or social gatherings if you have viral pink eye. 

You can easily spread it through contact with contaminated surfaces, personal items, or direct eye-to-hand contact. Viral pink eye often clears up within one to two weeks without medication. However, avoid close contact with others until symptoms fade away.

Bacterial Pink Eye

Bacterial pink eye is also contagious, and it’s caused by bacteria that can spread through direct contact with an infected person. If your pink eye is bacterial, you may need antibiotic eye drops or ointments. 

While symptoms may begin to improve within a day or two of starting antibiotics, you should still stay home for at least 24-48 hours after treatment to prevent spreading the bacteria to others.

Allergic Pink Eye

Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by irritants like pollen, dust, or pet dander and is not contagious. If your pink eye is due to allergies, there’s no need to stay home since you can’t spread it to others. However, you may still want to avoid environments that trigger your allergies and cause further discomfort.

Irritant-Induced Pink Eye

This type of pink eye is caused by exposure to smoke, chemicals, or other irritants. Like allergic pink eye, it is not contagious, so staying home is unnecessary unless your symptoms are severe.

Book Your Pink Eye Treatment in Chicago, IL 

You need to first learn the cause of your pink eye in order to properly deal with it. If you are unsure about the cause, contact Millennium Park Eye Center at 312-996-2020 and book an appointment with us. We’ll help you find the right treatment.