Conjuctivitis

Conjuctivitis (Pink Eye)

EXCLUSION:

Exclude for 24 hours after treatment begins for purulent conjuctivitis (red or pink conjuctiva with white or yellow discharge)

PREVENTION:

Make sure hands are clean before treating child's eye and promote good hygiene; wash hands after contact with child's eye or with discharge.

Infection of the lining of the eye, often accompanying a cold

Signs and sysptoms: Red, irritated, or painful eye(s), Yellow or watery drainage, Eyelids temporarily stuck together from encrusted discharge when child awakens from sleep

Easily spread by touching infected secretions and then touching own eye area

Watery drainage is most likely viral conjuctivitis and resolves without treatment

Pus or yellow drainage is most likely bacterial conjuctivitis and must be treated with an antibiotic

Wear disposable gloves. Clean drainage from child's eye(s) with clean tissue or gauze pad and warm water, as needed. Wipe each eye outward from inner corner.

Discourage touching eye(s)

Wash hands thoroughly and encourage child to do the same

Notify parent if eye has pus or yellow drainage

Follow Caregiver recommendations

Call child's health care provider

Wear disposable gloves. Apply ointment if prescribed: have child look upward; apply ointment to clean, cotton-tip applicator and then to inside of lower eyelid to avoid contaminatin ointment tube

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