Conjunctivitis and Cold: What to Know

Conjunctivitis and a cold often arrive together, because the same viruses that cause a runny nose can also inflame the thin layer over the white of the eye. The result is pink eye: red, watery, gritty eyes that usually clear on their own. This guide explains how conjunctivitis and cold symptoms are linked, the types, treatment, how to stop it spreading and when an eye needs a doctor.

Key takeaways

• Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type in adults and often comes with a cold.
• It is highly contagious, so wash your hands and keep your own towel.
• Antibiotic drops help only bacterial conjunctivitis, not the viral kind.
• Eye pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision needs a doctor in person.

Pink Eye Explained as Inflammation of the Conjunctiva

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear layer that covers the white of the eye and lines the eyelids. The inflammation makes the eye look pink or red. With conjunctivitis and a cold, the cause is usually a virus, but infection with bacteria, allergy and irritants can all cause it.

The bacterial type is more common in children, and the viral type in adults.

Preventing Eye Symptoms During a Cold

Eye symptoms during a cold are common, even without conjunctivitis. A blocked nose can stop tears draining, leaving watery eyes, and congested sinuses can cause pain and swelling around the eyes. When the common cold virus reaches the eye itself, usually from a hand that touched the nose, the result is a viral eye infection.

To keep conjunctivitis and a cold from travelling together, wash your hands often, especially after blowing your nose, and try not to rub your eyes. Use a fresh tissue each time, keep your own towel and face washer, and change your pillowcase if your eyes start to weep. A cold is contagious for several days, and so is viral pink eye, so these habits protect the people you live with. Cool compresses ease puffy eyes, and lubricating eye drops soothe gritty eye symptoms.

Common Causes of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis has four main causes: viruses, bacteria, allergies and irritants. Viruses cause most cases in adults, often the adenovirus that can also cause a cold, which is why conjunctivitis and cold symptoms so often overlap. Bacteria cause fewer cases in adults and more in children.

So how do you contract pink eye? Infectious conjunctivitis spreads in droplets from the eyes, nose or throat, through touch, and from towels, face washers, tissues and sometimes swimming pools. Allergic conjunctivitis is not catching: it comes from allergens such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mould. Irritants such as smoke, chlorine and chemicals can also inflame the eye, and wearing contact lenses too long or without good cleaning raises the risk of infection.

The Main Types of Conjunctivitis

Doctors group conjunctivitis by its cause, because each type behaves and is treated differently. The viral type brings redness, watering and a gritty or burning feeling, often in one eye first, and is highly contagious. Bacterial conjunctivitis gives a thicker yellow or green discharge that can glue the eyelids shut overnight. The allergic type affects both eyes, itches more than it hurts and often comes with sneezing or an itchy nose.

Irritant conjunctivitis follows contact with smoke, chlorine or a chemical; a chemical splash needs the eye rinsed with water straight away and urgent care. The common types rarely harm vision, but a few less common infections can, which is why the warning signs below matter.

Treatment Options for Conjunctivitis

Treatment depends on the cause, and most conjunctivitis gets better on its own. Knowing what to do for conjunctivitis at home helps: clean each eye with its own cotton pad soaked in warm water, wiping from the nose outwards, and use cool compresses and lubricating drops to relieve symptoms. Viral conjunctivitis needs no antibiotics, because antibiotics only work on bacteria. A bacterial infection often clears within a week, and antibiotic drops can help; some are sold by pharmacists and others need a prescription. Allergic conjunctivitis settles with antihistamine drops or tablets and by avoiding the trigger.

Stopping Conjunctivitis Spreading to Others

Good hygiene is the main way to stop conjunctivitis spreading. Wash your hands before and after touching your eyes, use your own towel and pillowcase, and never share eye drops or makeup. Throw out disposable contacts and any eye makeup used while your eyes were affected, and wear glasses instead of contact lenses until the infection has cleared. Viral conjunctivitis stays contagious while the eyes are red and weeping, so stay home from work during that time if you can, and a doctor can provide a medical certificate. Wipe shared surfaces such as tap handles, and keep up good eye care at home until it clears, even if a little irritation lingers.

Eye Symptoms That Need a Doctor

Most pink eye can be managed at home or with a pharmacist's advice, but some eye symptoms need a doctor. See a doctor in person the same day for eye pain rather than grittiness, sensitivity to light, blurred or reduced vision, a very red eye, a sharp or chemical injury, or symptoms while wearing contacts, as these can signal a more serious eye problem. Also see a doctor if symptoms are not improving after a week, if bacterial conjunctivitis does not clear with treatment, or if you have a weakened immune system. For milder symptoms, a Medio doctor can assess you by phone and may ask for a photo of the eye, sent securely.

Summary

Conjunctivitis and a cold often go together, and most pink eye clears with simple care and good hygiene. This guide covered the causes, types, treatment, stopping the spread and warning signs. A Medio doctor can assess you by phone and, where the doctor thinks it right, send an eScript or a medical certificate.

Frequently asked questions

How long does viral conjunctivitis last?

It usually lasts one to two weeks, and sometimes up to three, while your body fights it off. It often feels worse for the first few days before it starts to settle. It stays catching while your eyes are red and weeping, so keep up hand washing and use your own towel. If it is not improving after a week, or your vision changes, see a doctor.

What are the best eye drops for treating conjunctivitis?

The right drops depend on the cause, so no one product suits every case. Lubricating drops, sometimes called artificial tears, soothe gritty eyes from any type. Antibiotic drops help only a bacterial infection, and antihistamine drops help an allergy. Avoid drops that whiten the eyes or contain steroids unless a doctor advises them. A pharmacist or doctor can tell you which type suits your symptoms.

Can a doctor help with conjunctivitis and cold?

Yes. In a telehealth consult by phone, a Medio doctor can ask about your symptoms, look at a photo of your eye sent securely, and advise whether it is likely to be viral, bacterial or allergic. Where the doctor thinks it right, they can send an eScript for drops or provide a certificate for time off work. Eye pain, light sensitivity or changes in vision need an examination in person.

What are the worst days of conjunctivitis?

With the viral type, the third to fifth days are often the worst, with the most redness, watering and discharge, before it slowly settles. A cold can cause eye pain around the same time, from pressure in the sinuses. The bacterial type tends to improve within a few days of starting treatment. Pain that keeps getting worse is not normal and needs a doctor.

Can you keep reinfecting yourself with conjunctivitis?

Yes, you can pass it back to yourself, or from one eye to the other. To prevent conjunctivitis returning, wash pillowcases, towels and face washers in hot water, throw out makeup and disposable contacts used while you were unwell, and start a fresh contacts case. To avoid the spread of conjunctivitis to your other eye, use a separate cotton pad for each side and wash your hands between them.

Is it okay to sleep with conjunctivitis?

Yes, and rest helps you recover. Your eyelids may be stuck together when you wake, so soften the crust with a warm, damp cotton pad before opening them. Sleep without contacts, as wearing them during conjunctivitis slows healing, and change your pillowcase often while it lasts. Allergies and colds affect the eyes overnight too, so a cool compress in the morning can ease the puffiness.