Pink Eye Questions...

[CDNTech]

We just got back from the hospital... Aiden has pink eye (aka bacterial conjunctivitis). I forgot to ask and they did not mention, Does anyone know the contagious period for this stuff? We caught it at the very beginning stages, so he's not goopy or anything... just really red and puffy.

Aiden is on antibiotics now, but how long should I keep him away from people before he can go out again?

[Gypsy]

He must be on antibiotics for 24 hours until he is no longer contagious, but I would wait a few more days to see if any other family members start showing symptoms.

[bbartlettnfld]

Conjunctivitis is also airborn.. (yippie) so You don't need to come into contact with the eye goo to catch it... But yes 24 hours on antibiotics and please keep him home from school! Ass its very bad in schools and everyone gets it!
BethAnn

[CDNTech]

Don't worry, he won't be going to school or any other public place for that matter... I'm not one of 'those' parents. It drives me nuts when I see sick kids out.

I have a friend that will keep her daughter(s) home from school because they are too sick to go and then she takes them out shopping at the mall:mad: It's ridiculous!

His eye is looking better already this morning, so the drugs are working.:)

Off to wash everything in the house;)

[chaoticoctopus]

For future (or others) reference-- if you've got a nursling, breastmilk is a wonderful remedy for pinkeye! It's a lot easier to administer (with a dropper or medicine syringe) because it soothes the eye rather than stinging a bit like the anitbiotics can. ;) Of course, once you start an A/B treatment, you must finish the entire prescribed course, or else risk creating resistant bacteria. :(

I'm glad it's already improving! Pinkeye is such a pain in the arse. :thumbsdown:

[papooses]

Tell me about it @@ Leila had it in both eyes during the holidays -- then she had a reaction to the type of medication *SIGH*

Good luck....

[becca011906]

Also did they run test to see if it really is bactiral or just guess and give you and antiboiotic for a possible viral infection???
if it's a virus it will get better in 2-3 days bactiral not better in 2-3 days and NEEDS antibiotics. Allie just got over it about 2 weeks ago dr called in RX and told us only to get it if it was looking the same/worse for 2-3 day in a row if it showed improvments on it's own then it was virus and the meds would do NO good.

[CDNTech]

They did not run tests, but he gave me some antibiotic cream there and told me to check him in the morning. If it was worse to go fill out the prescription and use it.

Normally, I'm not one to run to the doctor to get drugs. We are going on vacation next week back home to see my parents who have not seen the boys since Christmas. We leave on Tuesday and I can NOT risk infecting my parents as they are truck drivers and run from Saskatoon (Canada) to California every week. With the way their trips work, we can NOT change our dates, so I made the decision to use the drugs in case it is bacterial so that they would be past the contagious stage for when we have to leave (Tuesday).

Aiden only had his first round of treatment last night and already today, both eyes were looking much better... so I do believe it may be bacterial. Now my only problem is Mikkel... he's tugging at his right eye and it is starting to look really red:mad: I'll check it in the morning, but it looks like he'll need a trip to the doctor too.

Where did my healthy boys go? Aiden has had an ear infection at 10 months and a second one last Christmas and Mikkel has had one ear infection, also last Christmas. Now they both have/are getting pink eye!:p

The breastmilk trick works fantastic, by the way. Unfortunately, I won't be lactating again for another year... Mikkel had his last nursing session at 18 months.

[JaRylan]

Hope both the boys are on the mend soon. Have a safe trip.