Patient guide to conjunctivitis

About conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the lining of the eye. It is most often caused by viruses and less often by bacteria. The condition is particularly common in young children but can occur at any age.

Typical symptoms are redness, irritation and a tendency for the eyes to stick together with pus. Conjunctivitis usually starts in one eye but quickly spreads to the other.

With conjunctivitis, the eye can be gently cleaned using lukewarm water and a clean cotton pad or disposable cloth.

Treatment of conjunctivitis

In most cases, conjunctivitis clears up on its own within 5-10 days.

For all forms of conjunctivitis, it is important to clean the eyes thoroughly. Use a cotton pad or disposable flannel with lukewarm water to remove pus. Wipe from the inner corner outwards. Do not use the same cotton pad or cloth for both eyes.

You can also use physiological saline eye drops, available at the pharmacy.

Good hand hygiene before and after treating the eyes is important. This can be thorough handwashing and/or hand sanitising.

In severe cases, the doctor can assess whether antibiotic eye drops are needed if a severe bacterial infection is suspected.

Children with conjunctivitis

Children only need to stay home from nursery, childcare or school if there is a lot of pus coming from the eyes or the child has a fever.

A child who has started antibiotic eye drops can return to nursery or childcare after 2 days of treatment, even if treatment continues for longer.

Preventing conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is very contagious. Good hygiene is important to limit the spread of infection.

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid sharing towels with others.
• If you wear contact lenses, take them out until the infection has been treated.

Follow-up

Contact us again if:

• Your vision becomes blurred or affected.
• You develop severe eye pain.
• Your eye becomes very sensitive to light.
• There is any other significant worsening.
• Symptoms do not improve within 5 days if you are not being treated with antibiotic eye drops.

Clinically updated 6 May 2026