Preventing the Spread of Conjunctivitis
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) are very contagious.. They can spread easily from person to person.. You can greatly reduce the risk of getting conjunctivitis or spreading it to someone else by following some simple steps for good hygiene.
If You Have Conjunctivitis
If you have conjunctivitis, you can help limit its spread to other people by following these steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Wash your hands especially well before and after cleaning, or applying eye drops or ointment to, your infected eye.. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.. This can worsen the condition or spread it to your other eye.
- With clean hands, wash any discharge from around your eye(s) several times a day using a clean, wet washcloth or fresh cotton ball.. Throw away cotton balls after use, and wash used washcloths with hot water and detergent, then wash your hands again with soap and warm water.
- Do not use the same eye drop dispenser/bottle for your infected and non-infected eyes.
- Wash pillowcases, sheets, washcloths, and towels often in hot water and detergent; wash your hands after handling such items.
- Do not share personal items, such as pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops, eye or face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses, contact lens storage cases, or eyeglasses.
- Do not use swimming pools.
If You Are Around Someone with Conjunctivitis
If you are around someone with conjunctivitis, you can reduce your risk of infection by following these steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.. If soap and warm water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.
- Wash your hands after contact with an infected person or items he or she uses;
- Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands.
- Do not share items used by an infected person; for example, do not share pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops, eye or face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses, contact lens storage cases, or eyeglasses.
For healthcare workers
- Always wear gloves and gowns for patient care and use personal protective measures.
- Wash hands after providing care to an individual with probable or laboratory-confirmed conjunctivitis.
- Disinfect furniture and medical equipment to avoid contamination of other patients and/or staff.
Case management
- The management of conjunctivitis is symptomatic and should be limited to general measures, such as cold compresses and artificial tears with vasoconstrictors.
- Antimicrobial agents should not be indicated unless there is an aggregated microbial infection.. The effectiveness of antivirals has also not been documented.
- Steroidal anti-inflammatory medications should not be used as they significantly increase viral replication.
- Eye drops containing antibiotics should not be used.
- Isolation should be used to limit contact with cases during the active period of the disease; take precautions regarding exudates and secretions.
- Restrict contact with cases while the disease is active.
DHMOSH Guidance for the Management of Acute Conjunctivitis Cases and Outbreaks (English/French)