Conjunctivitis is any inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the conjunctiva, a thin clear layer that covers the white part of the eye and inner eyelids. Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria (types of germs). When the conjunctiva is inflamed, the whites of the eyes become red or pink, which is why the condition is often called "pinkeye."

Bacterial conjunctivitis makes the eyes itchy and irritated, and it causes a thick, gooey liquid (discharge) from the eyes. It usually gets better quickly when treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. You can keep your child comfortable and help prevent your child from spreading it to other people.

• Follow your health care provider's directions for giving antibiotic eye drops or ointment if they were prescribed.
• Clean the eyelashes and eyelids gently with warm water and clean cotton balls or gauze when needed.
• If it is soothing to your child, place a cool or warm compress (a clean washcloth soaked in water) on the eye area. Use a fresh washcloth each time and for each eye.
• If your child is uncomfortable and your health care provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.
• Don't give your child aspirin. It can cause Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
• To help prevent the spread of conjunctivitis to others:
  • Wash hands often with soap and warm water. This is especially important after cleaning or soaking the area around your child's eyes. If soap and water aren't available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Help your child avoid touching or rubbing their eyes.
  • Don't let your child share towels, pillows, eyeglasses, or cosmetics.
  • Wash sheets in hot water and detergent. Be sure to wash your hands after handling the dirty laundry.
• To prevent conjunctivitis from coming back:
  • Your child should not wear contact lenses until all symptoms are gone, it has been 24 hours since they finished their antibiotics, and the health care provider says it's OK.
  • Throw away any contact lens solution, disposable contact lenses, and cases your child used while the eyes were infected. Clean extended-wear contact lenses as directed.
  • Clean all eyeglasses, sunglasses, and cases.
  • Change pillowcases and towels often until symptoms are gone.
  • Throw away all makeup your child used while the eyes were infected.
• Your child can return to school or childcare when your health care provider says it's OK.

Your child:

• Isn't getting better after 2–3 days of antibiotic treatment
• Still has symptoms after 7–10 days
• Has redness and swelling around the eye that gets worse
• Has more discharge coming from the eye
• Is sensitive to light
• Develops new or worsening symptoms such as fever, headache, runny nose, or cough
• Has eye pain

Your child:

• Has trouble seeing or has blurry vision
• Can't move the eyes normally

What are the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis? Kids with bacterial conjunctivitis have swollen and irritated inner eyelids, causing a red or pink color of the eyelids and whites of the eyes. They also often have a thick, gooey liquid coming from the eye (discharge). The discharge may be white, yellow, or green. A child may wake up and find the upper and lower eyelid stuck together. The eyes may burn or feel as if there's sand in them. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually happens in one eye only, but it can also happen in both.

Is bacterial conjunctivitis contagious? Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious and can easily spread from one person to another. This usually happens after someone touches the eye discharge or mucus of an infected person, then touches their own eyes. Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious as long as the eye has symptoms (is red or has eye drainage or extra tears). This can last about 7–10 days.