Is Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye) Contagious?
therefore called conjunctivitis. There are several forms of conjunctivitis, but the most common kind is infective conjunctivitis. In some parts, the infection is popularly known as “pinkeye” because it turns the whites of the eyes pink. When caused by bacteria, the eye often discharges a thick white or yellow pus, and the infection spreads rapidly from person to person by hand-to-eye contact. Because the infection is caused by a germ (carried by contaminated fingers, towel, or handkerchief) both eyes are often involved. The disease is most common in children and young adults. Often several in the same household or school are affected, the disease being easily communicated. The course of the disease when not treated is ten to fourteen days. To avoid transmitting it, doctors advise that patients should not share face cloths or towels, and should wash their hands frequently, especially after touching their eyes. Sharing cosmetics is often a source of infection among teenage girls. An opht
