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A 36-year-old member asked:
Do i have to stay home from school tomorrow because i have conjunctivitis (pink eye)?
2 doctor answers • 18 doctors weighed in
Dr. Becky Whiteanswered
Pediatrics 21 years experience
No: Pink eye is cause by rubbing cold virus into your eye. It's no more contagious than the cold so most state health departments will let you attend school as long as you have a note from your doctor. Remember, don't rub your nose and then touch your eyes!
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Judy Orton commented
Pediatrics 36 years experience
Antibiotics are NOT needed. If the symptoms are not better in 48 hours have your child seen by her doctor.
Nov 24, 2011
Dr. Francine Yepanswered
Family Medicine 32 years experience
School rules!?: Depends on school rules. Some make you stay home until you've taken antibiotics for at least 1 day. Doesn't make sense since most pink eye is caused by viruses, which antibiotics don't treat. But school rules are rules. Otherwise, you can go to school. You're contagious as long as your eyes are goopy or you cough/sneeze. Be nice. Cover your mouth/nose. Wash hands. A lot.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 36-year-old member asked:
What to do if I have pink eye and my mom won't let me stay home from school?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Schuhanswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
Get eyedrops: Usually using eye drops with antibiotics clears it up pretty quickly.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Can someone tell me how long will I have to stay home from school with pink eye?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 18 years experience
Depends: Most "pinkeye" or conjunctivitis is actually viral, so antibiotic eye drops are usually not effective. Viral conjunctivitis tends to run it's course in 7-10 days. It can be very contagious, spreading from one eye to the other or to other people. Hand washing is essential. To be certain it is not a more serious bacterial or fungal infection, you should see an ophthalmologist.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Once you get pink eye, how long should I stay home before going back to school?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Marina Armendarizanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
Pink eye: Bacterial conjunctivitis can be appropriately treated with antibiotic eye drops or eye ointment. I usually recommend keeping the child home until he has received 24 hr to 48 hr of antibiotics.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated May 14, 2016
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