How can the spread of conjunctivitis be prevented?
• The person with pink eye must stay home from childcare, school and some types of work until he or she has had one full day (24 hours) of treatment. • Hands should be washed frequently and kept away from the eyes. • Wash your hands after touching or wiping the infected eyes. • Wash your child’s hands after he or she touches their eyes. • Try to keep your child from touching or rubbing the eyes. • Immediately throw away tissues which have been used to wipe the eye. • Try to keep your child from touching or rubbing the eyes. • Use a clean pillowcase each night. Do not share eye makeup, handkerchiefs, towels or washcloths. • If you have viral conjunctivitis you may have to stay at home until it clears. Notify your healthcare provider if the conjunctivitis does not improve in two or three days, or if there is: • severe eye pain • a change in vision • extreme sensitivity to light • fever • pain with eye movement Copyright & Disclaimer Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by
