Dallas, TX
A 33-year-old female asked:
What, if any, are the differences between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)? how does someone know which kind they have? does it always require a dr. visit or can it be treated at home?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Hard to guess: Watery eyes or clear mucus is more likely non-bacterial. Pink eye is usually a viral infection, sometimes allergies, sometimes a bacterial infection, and occasionally other causes. Symptoms usually go away in a few days, or up to a week or so. A doctor will want to recheck, if symptoms haven't gone away in a week, and recommend an eye doctor visit if symptoms are persistent or worse than average.
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124 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 14, 2019
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