Conjunctivitis can you go to school

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Treatment is dependent on the type of conjunctivitis affecting your child. Conjunctivitis can be an infectious or allergic condition. Infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected, and can last from two days to three weeks. Conjunctivitis can be caused by an infection either a virus or bacteria , which is highly contagious.

Your child could develop infectious conjunctivitis if they come into contact with:. A person with infectious conjunctivitis will remain infectious as long as there is a discharge from their eye. If your child has infectious conjunctivitis, do not allow them to share eye drops, tissues, make-up, towels or pillowcases with other people.

Children with infectious conjunctivitis should be kept home from child care, kindergarten or school until the discharge from the eyes has cleared. Be sure to regularly wash hands thoroughly to prevent the infection spreading to others.

Conjunctivitis can also be caused by an allergic reaction. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. It is more likely in children with a history of other allergies.

Your child will often show other signs of hay fever if their conjunctivitis is the result of an allergy. Signs can include an itchy or runny nose and sneezing, and the eyes are itchy and watery. Specific Eye Problems. She is interested in the use of new technologies to improve care and communication with patients and families. She lives with her husband and son in Dallas, Texas. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server.

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Skip to main content. Turn off Animations. Turn on Animations. Our Sponsors Log in Register. Log in Register. Ages and Stages. Healthy Living. Safety and Prevention. Treatment for conjunctivitis can be purchased over the counter from pharmacies without the need for a prescription for children over the age of two. Please note that GPs will not prescribe simple medications that are available to buy over the counter for any patient, including children.

Over the counter medication can be administered to a child in an educational establishment with parental consent. While advice from a pharmacist can be sought for children under the age of two, if treatment is deemed appropriate then they would need to be referred to their GP for a prescription. It is not necessary to exclude a child or staff member from childcare or school if they have conjunctivitis.

Cases can be managed by implementing some simple infection control measures:.