What should you know about contracting conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin surface covering the white of the eye and inner eyelid. Viral or bacterial forms may pass between people when discharge reaches another person's hands, towels, pillows, cosmetics, or shared device surfaces. Touching an affected eye and then touching the other eye can also transfer infection. Allergic conjunctivitis is different: it is triggered by an allergen and does not spread like an infection.

Redness, watering, sticky eye discharge, irritation, or light sensitivity can occur. A symptom such as red eye has several possible causes, so appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

Wash hands often with soap and water, avoid rubbing your eyes, and do not share towels, pillows, eye drops, makeup, or contact-lens equipment. Clean discharge gently with a fresh clean pad and wash reusable linens. Stop wearing contact lenses until a clinician says it is appropriate to restart, and discard disposable lenses or eye products that may have been contaminated.

Arrange a GP Consultation if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or unclear. Antibiotic Treatment helps only some bacterial infections and should be chosen after assessment rather than borrowed or shared.

Seek urgent medical assessment for significant eye pain, reduced or blurred vision, marked light sensitivity, injury, chemical exposure, or swelling around the eye. Contact-lens wearers should seek prompt advice for a painful or very red eye because corneal infection needs timely attention. Seek advice as well when a baby has a red or discharging eye, or when symptoms are spreading quickly through a household.

Ask which type of conjunctivitis is most likely, whether you should pause contact lenses or work or school attendance, how to clean the eye safely, and whether anyone exposed at home needs assessment. Tell the clinician about pain, vision change, light sensitivity, contact-lens use, and any recent eye injury.