What causes infective conjunctivitis?
The three most common factors that can cause infection to develop in the eye are: • Bacteria • Viruses • An STI (sexually transmitted infection) A doctor cannot tell what type of infection it is just by examining the patient. However, conjunctivitis that lasts a long time – several months – is most likely to be caused by an STI, such as Chlamydia. Most other types of conjunctivitis will clear up on their own. Infective conjunctivitis is extremely contagious. Anybody who has such an infection should be very careful to avoid touching other people, and not allowing others to use his/her towels and toiletries. Good hygiene, including regularly washing one’s hands with soap and water, help prevent the spread of the infection.
