Conjunctivitis PIL

Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition that affects children, especially under 5 years of age. It can either be caused by an infection or by an allergy. Infectious conjunctivitis is contagious and may spread to other household members. Allergic conjunctivitis is more common in children with allergies such as hay fever.

Related topics sticky eye (babies under 3 months)

If your child has conjunctivitis, they may have:

• a red or pink eye (or both eyes)
• redness behind the eyelid
• swelling of the eyelids, making them appear puffy
• excessive tears
• a yellow-green discharge from the eye which dries when your child sleeps, causing crusting around the eyelids
• a gritty feeling (like there is sand in the eye)
• itchiness of the eyes and eye rubbing
• children with allergic conjunctivitis almost always rub their eyes excessively. They may also have an itchy or runny nose and sneezing

Your child does not need to be excluded from school or childcare if they have conjunctivitis.

RED:

If your child has any of the following:

• Eyeball is bulging out
• Vision loss
• Severe pain in eyes
• Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
• Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the rib, unable to talk or noisy breathing (grunting)
• Becomes pale, blue, mottled and/or unusually cold to touch
• Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
• Weak, high-pitched, continuous cry or extremely agitated
• Has a fit (seizure)
• A temperature less than 36^oC or temperature 38^oC or more if baby is less than 3 months
• Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure and seems unwell (see the 'Glass Test')

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999.

AMBER:

If your child has any of the following:

• Red swollen eye
• Changes in vision (blurred or very sensitive to light)
• Severe headache
• Persistent vomiting
• Blisters develop on the skin next to the eye
• Babies under 1 month with a red eye(s) and yellow/green discharge
• Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
• Dry skin, lips, tongue or looking pale
• Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 12 hours
• Sleepy or not responding normally
• Crying and unsettled
• Poor feeding (babies) or not drinking (children)
• A temperature 39^oC or above in babies 3-6 months
• Temperature of 38^oC or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
• Getting worse or you are worried about them

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.

GREEN:

If your child has none of the above

Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms

Additional advice is also available for families for help cope with crying in otherwise well babies

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111

This guidance has been reviewed and adapted by healthcare professionals across North East and North Cumbria with consent from the Hampshire development groups.  

This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.