Pink eye should i stay home from work

Conjunctivitis Pink Eye. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Do you have diabetes or a weakened immune system? What weakens the immune system in an adult or older child may be different than in a young child or baby. Is there any pus coming from the area around the eye not from the eye itself?

Is there any blood in the eye? Is there any blood in the coloured part of the eye? Blood that is only in the white part of the eye is usually not as serious as blood in the coloured part of the eye. Does the blood cover more than one-fourth of the white part of the eye? Is there any new drainage from the eyes? Is there any pus or thick drainage coming from the eye not from the skin around the eye?

This does not include water or thin, watery drainage. Pus is thicker and may make the eyelids stick together. Have you had this type of drainage for more than 24 hours? Are you having a contact lens problem? Can you remove the contact lenses? Does removing the contact lenses make the eye problem better? Have you had eye problems for more than 2 weeks? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.

Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.

Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect.

You may need care sooner. Symptoms of serious illness may include: A severe headache. A stiff neck. Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert.

Extreme fatigue to the point where it's hard for you to function. Shaking chills. Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following: The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll. The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to. The baby is hard to wake up.

Pain in adults and older children Severe pain 8 to 10 : The pain is so bad that you can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and can't do anything else except focus on the pain. Moderate pain 5 to 7 : The pain is bad enough to disrupt your normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days.

Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it's severe when it's there. Mild pain 1 to 4 : You notice the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities. Pain in children under 3 years It can be hard to tell how much pain a baby or toddler is in. Severe pain 8 to 10 : The pain is so bad that the baby cannot sleep, cannot get comfortable, and cries constantly no matter what you do.

The baby may kick, make fists, or grimace. Moderate pain 5 to 7 : The baby is very fussy, clings to you a lot, and may have trouble sleeping but responds when you try to comfort him or her. Mild pain 1 to 4 : The baby is a little fussy and clings to you a little but responds when you try to comfort him or her. Long-term alcohol and drug problems.

Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease. Medicines taken after organ transplant. Not having a spleen. Some examples in children are: Diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and congenital heart disease. Steroid medicines, which are used to treat a variety of conditions. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away.

Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice.

You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health. Home Health library Eye redness summary Should i go to work with pink eye?

Medically reviewed All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. In this article. What is pink eye? Pink eye can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, an allergy or an irritant.

Is pink eye contagious? If you are concerned about pink eye, see a doctor. Can I go to work with pink eye? When to worry If you have any of the following symptoms, please seek medical help immediately: eye pain sensitivity to light photophobia vision changes e.

Conclusion Pink eye can be contagious, but as long as you take steps to prevent the spread of infection, going to work should not be a problem in most cases. If you have pink eye, you should take precautions to avoid spreading it to those around you. This may include staying home from work or school when your symptoms are at their worst. Pink eye infects your conjunctiva. This is the thin, clear membrane that lines your eyelids and covers the whites of your eyeballs.

The infection inflames the tiny blood vessels in the whites of the eyes, turning them red or pink in color. These symptoms may occur alongside symptoms of a cold , the flu , or other viruses, including COVID If it does, you should seek medical attention. Pink eye is transmitted when another person comes into direct or indirect contact with the fluid from a person who is infected with pink eye.

It can be transmitted through:. For example, if you shake hands with someone who has pink eye and then touch your own face or eyes before washing your hands, you could contract pink eye. Pink eye is about as contagious as the common cold. But you can take steps to prevent it from spreading. In addition, if you work in close contact with others, you should stay home. This is especially important if you work in an area where you and your colleagues are touching the same equipment, like computers, phones, headsets, printers, or other items that you all need to get your job done.

If your child has pink eye, you should contact their school or daycare. Some schools have policies to prevent outbreaks. Younger children especially may be asked to stay home until their symptoms go away.