Patient Comments: Pink Eye - Contagious
Question:Did your pinkeye spread to any other members of your family?
Comment from: Marlene, 75 or over Female (Patient)
Published: July 12
My great-grandkids had pink eye, treated with Polysporin. 10 days later they met my son, who got pink eye 5 days later. He stayed with me the first 2 days, and now, 11 days after that, I have it. I'm 75 and never had it before.
Published: January 24
It started with my ten year old, he took prescribed eye drops and it cleared up. Ten days later, the five year old got pinkeye. Three days after that, I got pinkeye. Three days after that, my eighteen month old baby got it. This is in spite of using eye drops and a lot of handwashing. Most of us had mild to moderate cold symptoms as well.
Comment from: henrysmom, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: May 13
We went to San Diego with the high school band. One of the chaperones had pinkeye in both eyes so bad that she wore her sunglasses inside and outside for the first day and a half. About 10 days later, our son had a horrible cough/ cold and pinkeye. Five days later, my husband got a milder case of it. Now, five days later, I have it in both eyes, along with a sore throat and bad cough. All thanks to the "princess" that couldn't stay home when she should have.
Comment from: Shine, 19-24 Female (Patient)
Published: May 09
I've had pinkeye over and over in the past month. Like a fool, I continue to wear makeup. I ran out of the meds the doctor gave me. So I threw out all my makeup and bought new stuff and more drops (Polysporin Antibiotic Eye/Ear Drops). I haven't touched my new makeup yet – I refuse to until the pinkeye is cleared up, although it is very tempting. I also boiled all my shower stuff, including my eyelash crimper and tweezers, for at least an hour. I let my makeup case sit in very hot water to try to save what I can. I wash the door handles every day and change my bedding regularly. The latest time I got pinkeye, I was still using my old drops for at least a week. Now I've been using Polysporin drops for a week. I've read that pinkeye can last 7 to 14 days. My eyes aren't red anymore but I still get a tiny bit of discharge. When I put the drops in it causes an unbearable itch. I'm trying my best not to touch my eyes. I don't know if I should continue to use my drops or if this will cause more bacterial infection. I don't want to have to pay $75 to see the doctor again. I miss wearing makeup.
Comment from: SammyNRobby, 25-34 Female (Patient)
Published: October 16
The very next morning after my 15 month old had shown symptoms of pinkeye, my 2 year old did too. Now they're both home, I got the drops and I am trying to keep everything and everybody clean. I guess we will see if anyone else gets it too. I am hoping that I did not spread it at daycare.
Comment from: C, 25-34 Female (Caregiver)
Published: October 13
My sons both had it the same day, then it cleared up in about 4 days with antibiotic drops. 10 days later I got it!
Comment from: ohiomom, 7-12 Female (Caregiver)
Published: June 09
Pink eye passed between my girls. My nine-year-old had it and the day that she cleared up, her seven- year-old sister got it. I was extremely careful about hand washing and washed towels, sheets, blankets, and door knobs, so I'm surprised to see that it passed between them.
Comment from: rebecca8, 35-44 (Patient)
Published: March 07
I got pink eye 14 days ago. It cleared without antibiotics in 5 days. Two days later my husband got it. It cleared up in three days. I woke up this morning and I have it again. And the symptoms are worse this time.
Comment from: RickyN, 45-54 Male (Patient)
Published: June 19
The first time I had pinkeye, it did spread to others in my family, as I didn't know about it at all. But the second time I kept my hands really clean and took all precautions and ensured it didn't spread to anyone other than myself. Yes it's very, very, contagious on touch. And you have to make very sure you don't spread it or contribute to its spread. Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Pink Eye - Length Symptoms Lasted
Question: How long did the symptoms of your pink eye last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?
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I did not get pink-eye until I was an adult. I got it right after I had my thyroid removed and it was reoccurring. It was very severe in both eyes. Once I was able to stabilize my THS with the right dosage of Levothyroxine I no longer would get pink-eye .There are also other eye diseases that have similar symptoms that need to be diagnosed by an eye doctor , go to see one instead of a G.P. if you ever have what you think is pink-eye.