Conjunctivitis

[Peaceangels]

DS1 has come home from preschool today with one eye filling up with pus, but it appears to not be bothering him at all (no itchiness or stinging).
Does anyone know if this is how conjunctivitis starts? Should I keep him home from p/s tomorrow? (cause it's contagious)
We have never had conjunctivitis in this household, so I am a little unsure.
Also, does he need to see a Dr for conjunctivitis or can you just get something from the chemist?

[Rainbowbrite]

Poor thing :hugs: I'd go up to the chemist & get them to have a look. They'd be able to tell straight away.

Goodluck

[Spewiesmum]

Conjunctivitus is very contagious and your preschool should send kids home if they have it.

I'm not sure if the chemist has anything but a trip to the doctor ASAP will allow prescribed drops/ointment to start working straight away.

DS recently had conjunctivitus. Without having seen or having it before I knew exactly what it was. His eye swelled a lot too but apart from the puss, he didn't seem affected by it.

It'll probably spread to the other eye and be mindful of where you put your hands too.

[HoopDeeDoo]

apparently once you start the eye drops 24 hrs later they are no longer contageous. So try and get it looked at ASAP

[Bron]

I think it depends on the conjunctivitis. It can be viral, bacterial or allergic. Allergic conjunctivitis isn't contagious, the bacterial one is very contagious though.

Poor little dude.

Here's a hug for him anyway :hugs:

[Chickadee]

Sounds like conjunctivitis to me. Does he have a cold or had one recently? Does he wipe his nose with his hand/arm?

Off to the dr to you! DD wound up with drops for her eyes and also antibiotics as the dr found an ear infection as well :(

[xkwzit]

I find sometimes that salt water washes gets the conjunctivitus under control (and my kids accept that better than AB drops in they eyes) and then I go to a doc if it isn't clearing in a day or two. But if you don't want to leave it that long, the doc it is for you.

Our daycare regularly send kids with conjunctivitus home.

Cheers

[Funkychicken]

Yep, as the other's replies have pointed out-it is highly contagious and there is a recommended time period away from school, just can't recall how long but someone else might know the website. I always start treating with saline (about $1 in a small tube in the chemist) unless I'm breastfeeding and then I just use that. if the saline clears it up, there shouldn't be a recurrence but if not, a chemist/GP will need to look at it. :thumbsup:

[Harry&Max's Mummy]

We have been to the Dr today for DS1 he got it yesterday. The dr gave us eye drops and an ointment for his eyes, also told us it will be contagious for 2-3 days
The worst thing is trying to keep it away from bub and us also pinning a 3 1/2 yr old down to give him the drops

[MummyCharmzy]

'grandma' suggested cooled tea.. and amazingly it cleared Bellas the same day.... she'd had it for a week might i had, and AB drops did nothing nor did the over the counter ones, nor did salt water :S but tea... amazing! lol

[whatwasithinking]

Yep he has conjunctivitis.
Bec had this 2 wks ago and I didn't know what it was until I got a call from daycare to come and pick her up. Daycare would not let me bring her back until 48hrs had past - she had it for 72hrs so she had extra day at home. I got some eyedrops from the chemist and had to give them to her every 2hrs until the bottle finished (even after the 72hrs "contagous" period).

Daycare will not and cannot give these to the child unless it is prescribed by dr and dr has written a letter.