What should you know about conjunctivitis and how you get it?

Infectious conjunctivitis can spread when contaminated fluid reaches the eye, often through hands, shared towels, cosmetics, pillowcases, or frequently touched surfaces. It may also accompany a respiratory infection. Allergic conjunctivitis follows contact with a trigger such as pollen, dust, or an animal, and irritant conjunctivitis can follow smoke, chemicals, or a foreign material.

The symptoms overlap: redness, watering, itching, swollen lids, and discharge may occur with several causes. Conjunctivitis is a condition that can present with eye discharge, but eye discharge does not by itself identify how the problem began.

Wash hands with soap and water, avoid touching or rubbing the eyes, and clean discharge gently with a fresh clean cloth. Do not share towels, bedding, cosmetics, or eye drops. Wash items that touch the face, and avoid applying eye makeup until symptoms have resolved. If you wear contact lenses, remove them and use glasses while the eye is symptomatic.

Tell close contacts if a clinician thinks an infection is likely, particularly when several people develop similar symptoms. Do not use antibiotics without advice: they do not treat allergic or irritant causes. A GP consultation can help match the pattern to the right care.

Seek prompt care for eye pain, new light sensitivity, reduced vision, a significant injury, severe swelling, or symptoms in a contact-lens wearer. Get urgent help if vision changes suddenly or the eye becomes very painful. Arrange medical review when symptoms keep returning, continue despite removing a suspected trigger, or affect a baby or someone with a weakened immune system.

Ask which cause is most likely from your exposure and symptoms, how long you should take infection-control precautions, whether household items need cleaning, and when contact lenses or cosmetics can be used again. Ask which warning signs require urgent review.