Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an eye condition that affects millions of people around the world each year. This condition causes the white part of your eye to become red or pink and causes inflammation and irritation. There are several different types of conjunctivitis, and some are more contagious than others. If you believe you have pink eye, it is always a better idea to get in touch with your GP before heading to work and spreading it to your colleagues. Telehealth services have now made it easier for people to get doctor’s certificates online without exposing people in the waiting room at the doctor’s clinic to the infection.

What is conjunctivitis?

The white part of your eyeball is covered by a thin, transparent tissue, which is also found under the eyelid. This layer is called the conjunctiva and helps keep our eyes lubricated and protected against foreign bodies. Conjunctivitis is caused when the conjunctiva becomes inflamed.

Types of conjunctivitis

There are a few very common types of conjunctivitis:

  • Viral conjunctivitis: Caused by a virus, this kind of conjunctivitis is highly contagious and spreads rapidly in schools, daycares and other closed spaces. Often accompanied by other viral upper respiratory infections, it is an airborne virus that is spread through coughing and sneezing.
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis: Most commonly spread through contact with an infected individual, contaminated surface or through ear or sinus infections, bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria. These bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Allergic conjunctivitis: This type of conjunctivitis is usually triggered by common allergens such as dust mites, pollen and animal fur. It is not usually contagious.
  • Non-infectious conjunctivitis: This is a temporary form of conjunctivitis that can occur due to exposure to an irritant such as smoke, perfumes, diesel exhaust and certain chemicals.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis:

The most common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

  • The whites of the eyes showing a red or pink colour
  • Swelling of the eye, eyelid or area around the eye
  • Irritation and the desire to rub the eye
  • Gritty feeling in the eye
  • Increased tear production
  • Excess discharge; in the case of viral conjunctivitis, this discharge will be watery and clear, whereas for bacterial conjunctivitis, it will be thick, yellow or green and will crust over the eyelashes, making them stick together especially after waking up.
  • Itchy, burning eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurred vision.

How is conjunctivitis diagnosed?

It is fairly easy to diagnose conjunctivitis by just looking at the eye, talking about your symptoms and your medical history. Often, this can easily be done over a video consultation and there’s no need to visit the doctor in person. This may change if the doctor believes they need to take a sample of the discharge for closer analysis.

It can be difficult to determine the cause of the infection without laboratory testing because many of the symptoms of the different types of conjunctivitis are the same. However, this testing is very rarely prescribed.

How is conjunctivitis treated?

While it is not always necessary to seek medical care for conjunctivitis, some symptoms require a consultation with a healthcare provider:

  • Pain in the eye
  • Blurred vision even after discharge has been wiped from the eye
  • Symptoms that worsen or don’t improve after 24 hours of antibiotic use
  • Intense redness in the eye
  • Symptoms that prevent you from performing your job so you can get a medical certificate to stay home

Depending upon the type of conjunctivitis you have, your doctor will suggest different treatment methods:

  • Viral: This type of conjunctivitis usually clears up within 7 to 14 days without treatment. However, more serious cases of viral conjunctivitis can be treated through antiviral medications.
  • Bacterial: Your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics, often given topically through eye drops or an ointment. This will shorten the length of the infection and reduce the chances of it spreading to others. Even without treatment, severe symptoms typically go away within 2 to 5 days but it can take up to 14 days to clear up entirely.
  • Allergic: To treat allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor may suggest allergy medications and eye drops to provide relief from the symptoms. Removing the allergen from your environment can also help reduce the onset of symptoms.

Regardless of the type of conjunctivitis you have, using warm compresses, artificial tears and reducing the use of makeup and contact lenses can help you relieve the inflammation and irritation. Do not use contact lenses until after your symptoms have stopped.

Going to work with conjunctivitis

Because bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious, it is usually a good idea to stay at home until your symptoms ease. This will prevent you from spreading it to other colleagues in the office. Staring at a screen for hours on end could even increase eye dryness, which will further make your eye feel irritated and itchy. Because it is so contagious, it’s always a good idea to get a doctor’s certificate online rather than heading to your nearest clinic.