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Pink eye is extremely common in kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public school children in the United States miss three million school days each year because of pink eye.
Dr Tina Ardon, a family doctor, explained what you should know about this contagious condition.
“Pink eye – the medical term is conjunctivitis – typically is a red or pink irritated eye that can present with other symptoms. This includes tearing of the eye, itchiness, and sometimes pain and discharge,” said Ardon (see graphic).
Pink eye is inflammation of the transparent layer covering the eye and eyelid. It is most often caused by a virus, but bacterial infections and allergies can also cause it.
Like common colds and the flu, pink eye is contagious.“Most patients [can get pink eye] … if they touch someone who has it, rub their eye, maybe touch their face, or don’t wash their hands consistently,” said Ardon.
There is no cure for pink eye. Thankfully, it usually goes away on its own. Doctors usually give patients medicine to reduce the symptoms.
