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Eye, Pus or Drainage (Pink Eye / Conjunctivitis)

Description / Symptoms

  • Yellow or green discharge or pus in the eye
  • Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes
  • The eyelashes are especially likely to be matted together following sleep
  • The whites of the eye may or may not have some redness or pinkness
  • The eyelids are usually puffy due to irritation from the infection

Cause

Bacterial infection on top of a cold in the eye.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one)

When to Call Your Doctor for Eye, Pus or Drainage

Call Your Doctor Now If:

  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • Eyelid is very red or very swollen
  • Blurred vision reported
  • Cloudy spot on the cornea (clear part of the eye)
  • Fever > 105°F (40.6°C)
  • Age < 12 weeks with fever >100.4°F (38°C) rectally

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:

  • Yellow/green discharge or pus in the eye, but none of the symptoms described above. (Reason: probably needs prescription antibiotic eyedrops to treat it)

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:

  • See other columns for appropriate advice.

Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):

Reassurance

Bacterial eye infections are a common complication of a cold. They respond to home treatment with antibiotic eyedrops and are not harmful to vision.

Until you get some antibiotic eyedrops prescribed by your doctor, do the following:

  • Remove Pus: Remove the dried and liquid pus from the eyelids with warm water and wet cotton balls. Do this whenever pus is seen on the eyelids. Once you have antibiotic eyedrops, they will not have a chance to work unless the pus is removed each time before they are put in
  • Contact Lenses: Children with contact lenses need to switch to glasses temporarily (Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea). Disinfect the contacts before wearing them again (or discard them if disposable).

Contagiousness

Your child can return to day care or school after using antibiotic eyedrops for 24 hours, if the pus is minimal.

Expected Course

With treatment, the yellow discharge should clear up in 3 days. The red eyes (which are part of the underlying cold) may persist for up to a week.

Call Your Doctor If:

Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms.

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2009.