The many different types of pinkeye can have different symptoms that may vary from one child to another. Common symptoms that appear in most cases of pinkeye are discomfort, and/or pain in the eye or the feeling that there is sand in the eye. Most children also have redness of the eye white and the inner eyelid. This is how the infection became known as pinkeye.
Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, staring and itching. Discharge may accompany other symptoms. If the sufferer has bacterial pinkeye, the discharge will be white, green or yellow and very thick. This may cause the eyelids to stick together during sleep. If this happens, the child’s eyes should be bathed with warm water and never be forced open. If the infection is viral or allergy pinkeye, the discharge is not usually so thick and may be clear.
Ear Infections and Pinkeye
Children who are diagnosed with bacterial pinkeye may also suffer from an ear infection, as similar bacteria cause the ear canals to become inflamed. Sore throat, runny nose and other viral infections can accompany pinkeye.
Contagious?
All types of pinkeye are highly contagious and can be easily spread if a child touches his eye and then touches someone’s hand. Your child can become infected from being in contact with a child who has pinkeye, or by touching something the infected child has touched. The disease can also be spread from airborne spores that are sent into the air when an infected child coughs or sneezes. Both viral and bacterial types of pinkeye can be spread in swimming pools or when your child uses a contaminated towel or washcloth.
Incubation
The incubation period for pinkeye is only two or three days. Viral pinkeye shows up within a week. Allergic and irritant pinkeye can’t be spread from one person to another.