How long is conjunctivitis contagious? | Conjunctivitis in infants

How long is conjunctivitis contagious?

Conjunctivitis is contagious as long as the pathogen is detectable in the eye secretion. – bacterial inflammation treated with antibiotic eye drops: risk of infection about 2 to 3 days

  • Viral-induced inflammation: Risk of infection for several days and the child should not be taken to the nursery or to play

Causes

Conjunctivitis in small children can be caused by various triggers: Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious! – viral infection: e.g. by adenovirus, herpes viruses

  • Bacterial infection
  • Fungal infection
  • Allergic reactions: e.g. hay fever
  • Environmental influences: Draught, smoke or dust, foreign bodies