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. Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus (a type of germ). When the conjunctiva is inflamed, the whites of the eyes become red or pink, which is why the condition is often called "pinkeye."

Viral conjunctivitis makes the eyes watery, itchy, and irritated. It may start in one eye, but often both eyes are infected within a few days. Some children may have a fever, sore throat, swollen glands, or cold symptoms along with conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis usually gets better on its own. Symptoms can take 1–2 weeks to go away. Until then, keep your child comfortable and help prevent your child from spreading it to other people.

• 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 are not 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 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:

• Has redness and swelling around the eye that gets worse
• Has more discharge coming from the eye
• Has discharge from the eye that becomes yellow or green
• Is sensitive to light
• Develops new or worsening symptoms such as fever, headache, runny nose, or cough
• Still has symptoms after 1–2 weeks
• Has eye pain

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

What are the symptoms of viral conjunctivitis? Kids with viral conjunctivitis have swollen and irritated inner eyelids, causing a red or pink color of the eyelids and whites of the eyes. They may have watery and itchy eyes. The eyes may burn or sting or feel as if there's sand in them. Sometimes there is a small amount of stringy mucus, which can cause some kids to wake up with their eyelids stuck together.

How long is someone with viral conjunctivitis contagious? Viral conjunctivitis is contagious and can easily spread from one person to another. This usually happens after someone touches the tears, eye discharge, or mucus of an infected person, then touches their own eyes. Viral conjunctivitis is contagious as long as the eye is red or has eye drainage or extra tears. These symptoms can last about 7–14 days.

Will antibiotics help treat viral conjunctivitis? Antibiotics will not help it get better since antibiotics treat bacteria, not viruses.