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