PINK EYE-INFECTIOUS CONJUCTIVITIS
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
General Information
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin, clear membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the white of the
eye and inside surface of the eyelid. It can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses and other germs as
well as by allergy (e.g. pollens) and exposure to chemicals (e.g. smoke, cosmetics) or irritants (e.g. dust).
The Illness
The usual signs of conjunctivitis are redness of the white of the eye, often accompanied by increased
tearing or discharge (“matter”). This discharge may be watery, or thick with mucus and pus causing the
eyelids to stick together. Infection may begin in only one eye, but usually spreads to involve both.
Pain is uncommon. Older children will sometimes complain that their eyes burn or itch or that it feels as
if something is in the eye. Vision should remain unchanged although pus and mucus can cause some
blurring.
The duration of illness varies. Viral infections usually get better in 8 to 10 days and are unaffected by
antibiotics, whereas, most cases of conjunctivitis caused by bacteria can be cured by antibiotics within 3
to 5 days.
When to call your doctor
If you are worried about your child’s illness, call your doctor if your child has; redness, swelling or
tenderness spreading around the eye and eyelid; severe eye pain; constant blurring of vision; double
vision; extreme sensitivity to light. Other symptoms for consulting your doctor are: fever over 102F
(39c); small blisters (like cold sores) close to the eye; cloudy tissue covering the eye; no improvement
after 2 days of treatment or after 7 days if untreated.
Treatment
The usual treatment for infectious conjunctivitis is an antibiotic drop or ointment. If using these
medicines on your child is a battle, ask about the possibility of giving an antibiotic by mouth instead. If
your child is getting an oral antibiotic for another reason, such as an ear infection, eye drops or ointment
may not be necessary.
Before you start treatment, wipe any mucus or pus off the eyelids with a tissue or cotton ball dipped in
warm water. Warn older children that the medicine may sting or burn for a few moments. Then gently
pull the lower lid down and place one drop (or a ½-inch ribbon of ointment) into the small pouch that
this forms. If your child is older and cooperative, ask him/her to look up while you are putting in the
medication. Avoid touching the dropper or tube to the eye.
Another way to give eye drops is to have your child lie face up with both eyes closed. Place one drop on
the inner corner of each eye and then gently pull the lids apart or tell your child to blink. The drops will
run into the eye by themselves.
EYE CONDITION
Your child has the following symptoms of the right, left, both eye(s) (symptoms are listed on the
back). Because many of these symptoms are contagious to other students, we must exclude
your child form school until:
1. He/she has been seen by the doctor and has been treated (usually with antibiotic
ointment or drops) for 24 hours, or
2. He/she has been seen by the doctor and has a note stating that the eye condition is
non-contagious, or
3. He/she is symptom free.
Thank you,
________________________________R.N.
School Nurse
CONJUNTIVITIS (OJO ROSADO)
Su niño tiene lo que parece ser una infección o inflamación de la (los) (izquierdo, derecho,
ambos) ojo (s). Porque la mayoría de las infecciones son contagiosas a otros alumnos, tenemos
que excluir a su niño de la escuela hasta que:
1. Haya sido atendido por un médico y haya sigo tratado (generalmente con ungüento
antibiótico o gotas) por 24 horas,
2. Haya sido atendido por un médico y tiene una nota diciendo que la condición del
(los) ojo(s) no es contagiosa, o
3. Sea libre de síntomas.
Gracias,
_________________________________R.N.
Enfermera Escolar
Original date issued: 1-94
Last date revised: