Recovering From Conjunctivitis
If your symptoms are caused by bacteria, you will be given eye drops or an ointment. It is important to use these as long as the doctor instructs. If you stop treatment as soon as your symptoms reside, they may come back even worse.
If the affected person is working or in school, you may have to stay home for a day or two. This illness is very infectious so it is best to stay where you cannot spread it to the public. Many doctors recommend staying home until you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. This is inconvenient, but you are not alone. An estimated three million days of school are missed every year due to this illness.
The best way to prevent spreading this disease is to wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water. You also should wash any items that touch your face in warm or hot water. This includes washcloths, pillowcases, and makeup brushes. Avoid touching your eyes as much as possible to prevent spreading germs or irritating your eyes even further.
No one enjoys being sick. However, this illness can usually be quickly and easily treated with the help of a medical professional.
