How Not to Give Conjunctivitis to Others

In order to avoid passing conjunctivitis, infected persons should be given some care, such as washing their hands frequently, sanitizing their eyes correctly, avoiding eye contact or avoiding crowded environments, since if the disease is of bacterial origin or viral, can easily be transmitted to other people.

1. Clean the eyes with saline solution

To properly and effectively sanitize the eyes, sterile compresses and saline or specific cleaning wipes, such as Blephaclean, for example, should always be discarded immediately after use.

Cleansing helps remove excess patch from the eyes, which is a substance that can contain and facilitate the development of viruses and bacteria, making it easier to transmit to others.

2. Avoid rubbing the eyes with your hands

As the eyes are infected, avoid rubbing the eyes with your hands or moving one eye and then the other so that there is no contamination. If the itching is severe, a sterile dressing and sterile saline solution may be used to reduce discomfort.

3. Avoid indoor environments

While conjunctivitis is untreated, indoor and crowded environments such as schools, parties, or public transportation should be avoided, for example, because these sites facilitate the spread of viruses and bacteria.

4. Wash your hands several times a day

Hands should be washed at least 3 times a day and every time you touch your eyes. To wash your hands properly you should pass soap and clean water on your hands and rub the palm of each hand, fingertips between the fingers, back of the hand and also the cuffs and use the paper towels or the elbow to turn off the tap . Used soap should not be shared with other people.

See step-by-step for proper handwashing:

5. Decrease physical contact

During the course of the infection, physical contact with other people, such as handshakes, hugs, and kisses, should be avoided. If this is not possible, always wash your hands before being in contact with other people. Also, do not share contact lenses, eyeglasses, makeup or any other material that may come into contact with your eyes.

6. Separate the pillow

While the conjunctivitis is untreated, one should use a pillow and avoid sharing it with other people and ideally one should also sleep in a bed alone. In addition, the pillowcase should be washed and changed daily.