Algoma Public Health
Pinkeye
What is it?
- A bacterial or viral infection of the eye.
What are the symptoms?
- Itchy irritated eyes.
- Whites of the eyes turn pink.
- Pus discharge from eyes. Eyes are often “glued shut” after sleeping.
- Discharge is white or yellow with bacterial pinkeye, while discharge with viral pinkeye is clear or watery
How quickly do symptoms develop?
- Within 1 to 3 days after coming in contact with the infection.
How is it spread?
- Contact with discharges from the eye or upper respiratory tracts of infected people.
- Contaminating fingers with eye or throat discharges from an infected person and then touching your eyes.
- Indirectly through contaminated clothing, face cloths and towels or sharing eye-make up or eye medications
Related Documents
En Français Pinkeye Notification to ParentsContact Us!
Sault Ste. Marie: 705-942-4646
Blind River: 705-356-2551
Elliot Lake: 705-848-2314
Wawa: 705-856-7208
How long is it contagious?
- As long as the eyes have discharge.
- Children with bacterial pink eye should not attend school/daycare until 24 hours after antibiotic has been started and the discharge has stopped.
- If viral, children do not need to be excluded if there is no eye discharge. If there is a discharge, children can return to school/child care if they have received approval from their health care provider.
How is it treated?
- Bacterial pink eye is treated with an antibiotic.
- Sometimes the doctor will order an oral antibiotic as well as an antibiotic eye drop or ointment.
What can you do?
- Do not share your face cloths or towels.
- Wash your hands after touching or wiping your eyes.
- Discard Kleenex soiled with eye or nose discharge into garbage container.
For further information contact the Communicable Disease Control Program at 705-942-4646 or toll free at 1-866-892-0172.
Date of Creation: June 1, 2015
Last Modified: Dec 9, 2022