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WHAT
YOU SHOULD KNOW
PINKEYE
(CONJUNCTIVITIS) IN THE CHILD CARE SETTING
Pinkeye, also called conjunctivitis, can be caused by bacterial or viral
infections or by allergic reactions to dust, pollen, and other materials.
Bacterial and viral infections usually produce a white or yellowish pus
that may cause the eyelids to stick shut in the morning. The discharge
in allergic conjunctivitis is often clear and watery. All types involve
redness and burning or itching eyes. Pinkeye in child care settings is
most often due to bacterial or viral infections. It can usually be treated
with antibiotics. Red and sore eyes may be part of viral respiratory infections,
including measles.
The germs that cause conjunctivitis may be present in nasal secretions,
as well as in the discharge from the eyes. Persons can become infected
when their hands become contaminated with these materials and they rub
their eyes. Eyes can also become infected when a person uses contaminated
towels or eye makeup.
If a child in your facility develops pinkeye:
-
Contact the child's parents and ask them to have the child seen by the
doctor. Eye injuries and foreign bodies in the eye can cause similar symptoms.
-
Monitor the other children for signs of developing pinkeye.
-
Make sure all children and staff use good handwashing practices and hygiene
including proper use and disposal of paper tissues used for wiping nasal
secretions.
-
Eliminate any shared articles, such as towels. Use disposable paper towels.
-
Disinfect any articles that may have been contaminated.
Exclude children with a white or yellow discharge until they have been
treated with an antibiotic for at least 24 hours. Children with a watery
discharge generally do not need to be excluded unless there have been other
children in the group with similar symptoms, but should be monitored for
signs of more serious illness, such as fever or rash.
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