PINK EYE

Pink Eye Q & A

What causes pink eye?

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, may be the result of a:

Bacterial infection

Several types of bacteria may cause pink eye, including Staphylococcus aureaus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial conjunctivitis affects children more often than adults and is highly contagious. The condition is primarily spread through daycares and schools.

Viral infection

Viral conjunctivitis is the result of a viral infection in the eye, including the herpes simplex virus and adenovirus. The condition is very contagious and spread through hand-to-eye contact. Viral conjunctivitis may also accompany colds, flu, or other respiratory infections.

Allergens

The body’s natural reaction to allergens can cause pink eye that is not contagious to others. Allergen-related pink eye can occur at any time of the year but is most common during spring and summer when the pollen counts are high.

Environmental pollution

Environmental factors such as smoke, chemicals, and dust can cause high irritation that results in pink eye. Extended wear of contact lenses may also cause the infection. This condition is not contagious or spread to others through contact.

What are the symptoms of pink eye?

A common characteristic of pink eye is the color change in the whites of your eye. Your eye may turn pink or red and you may feel as if an eyelash or dust is in your eye. If you have pink eye, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Swelling of your eyelids

• Eye itching or irritation

• Increased tearing

• Discharge of pus or mucus

• Crusting of eyelashes

How is pink eye diagnosed?

Your doctor at HELLOMED assesses your symptoms and your medical history, then examines your eye. They may take a sample of any discharge for further laboratory testing to determine if the cause of pink eye is bacterial or viral.

How is pink eye treated?

If you have a bacterial infection, your HELLOMED doctor may prescribe antibacterial topical ointments or drops to reduce symptoms and prevent the spread of infection.

If you have a viral infection, symptoms should resolve on their own in one to two weeks without treatment. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to treat serious pink eye conditions caused by herpes simplex or other viruses.

Your doctor may prescribe antihistamine medications or eye drops for allergy-related conjunctivitis.

Along with medication, your doctor teaches you how to prevent the spread of the infection and how to avoid it in the future.

Learn more about treatments forpink eye by walking into HELLOMED, or by scheduling an appointment online or by phone.

Planning your family the way you see fit is your right. If preventing pregnancy is a part of your family planning efforts, HELLOMED offers discreet birth control and contraceptive counseling services in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, walk-in clinic. To learn more about pregnancy prevention and birth control, visit the walk-in clinic, or schedule an appointment online or by phone.