Pink eye...how do you know if it's viral?

[sarahrose]

Gabriel woke up this morning with definate pinkeye. I have drops from the last time he had it and I plan on using them. But I thnk it may be viral rather than bacterial. So will the eye drops not work? He does have a cold and is coughing a bit.

My dr's office is stingy about trusting me when I say it's pinkeye. I KNOW it's pinkeye and I hate having to go in and pay the 100 dollar deductible (he has not been in yet this year) for something I know he has.

How long do I give it to clear up on it's own before I call? Do I just use the drops for a few days? I obviously did not send him to school today.

Any thoughts? (And why do my eyes feel itchy, lol, they really don't but just the thought)

[indigo]

Gabriel woke up this morning with definate pinkeye. I have drops from the last time he had it and I plan on using them. But I thnk it may be viral rather than bacterial. So will the eye drops not work? He does have a cold and is coughing a bit.

My dr's office is stingy about trusting me when I say it's pinkeye. I KNOW it's pinkeye and I hate having to go in and pay the 100 dollar deductible (he has not been in yet this year) for something I know he has.

How long do I give it to clear up on it's own before I call? Do I just use the drops for a few days? I obviously did not send him to school today.

Any thoughts? (And why do my eyes feel itchy, lol, they really don't but just the thought)

Ugh. I have no idea, but I think C has pinkeye too. I've refrained from complaining here but I really wish that BOTH of my kids could be healthy for a change. I'm not as sure as you are, so dh is taking C to the doctor right now. C also has had a cold (and fever.) He says his eye really hurts especially when he walks.

[sarahrose]

Ugh. I have no idea, but I think C has pinkeye too. I've refrained from complaining here but I really wish that BOTH of my kids could be healthy for a change. I'm not as sure as you are, so dh is taking C to the doctor right now. C also has had a cold (and fever.) He says his eye really hurts especially when he walks.

Bummer. I hate when the kids are sick. What sucks about pinkeye is that it can be bacterial and completely contagious (washed all the sheets this morning) or viral and not contagious but it looks horrible either way.

Gabriel's eyes were totally crusty this morning. It was gross. I hope that C doesn't have it. At least he's older than G and will probably let you put the drops in...G fights me every step of the way and it makes me feel mean.

[indigo]

Bummer. I hate when the kids are sick. What sucks about pinkeye is that it can be bacterial and completely contagious (washed all the sheets this morning) or viral and not contagious but it looks horrible either way.

Gabriel's eyes were totally crusty this morning. It was gross. I hope that C doesn't have it. At least he's older than G and will probably let you put the drops in...G fights me every step of the way and it makes me feel mean.

C does have it. dh just called after leaving the doctor's office. He's picking up drops. The doctor said that if he starts the drops today he can go to school tomorrow. I'm nervous about that. If pink eye starts spreading around I don't want it to be my fault!

[sarahrose]

C does have it. dh just called after leaving the doctor's office. He's picking up drops. The doctor said that if he starts the drops today he can go to school tomorrow. I'm nervous about that. If pink eye starts spreading around I don't want it to be my fault!

I hope he feels better soon. G's eyes loook less crusty after 2 doses of drops. I'll wait and see if he goes tomorrow. Poor kids. I know it hurts. And damn, those drops sting.

[Tracy]

I'd put hot chamomile tea bags on his eyes. As hot as he can stand I mean and do that several times per day with new bags. If he can get a little of the tea to seep into his eyes, even better.


Good luck !

[sarahrose]

I'd put hot chamomile tea bags on his eyes. As hot as he can stand I mean and do that several times per day with new bags. If he can get a little of the tea to seep into his eyes, even better.


Good luck !

I'm cracking up over here. G would no sooner let me do that than pigs would fly. As much as I love this kid he is very very opinionated and doing that would just not happen unless I could strap him down.

But the idea is great and I'll keep it in mind if either I or anyone else gets it.

Thanks. :)

[Bonny]

sorry I have no idea either LOL

My kids have never had bacterial pink eye - it's always gone away on it's own within a few days time.

Hope he heals quickly!

[indigo]

I'm cracking up over here. G would no sooner let me do that than pigs would fly. As much as I love this kid he is very very opinionated and doing that would just not happen unless I could strap him down.

But the idea is great and I'll keep it in mind if either I or anyone else gets it.

Thanks. :)

OK, so I don't know (and the doctor didn't know) whether C's was viral or bacterial. He did prescribe antibacterial eye drops anyway. C started on them and even after just a couple of drops, after a few hours, his eye showed improvement. So I'm guessing it is bacterial. Personally, I'm glad, because I do not want to keep him home from school for several days.

But in any case, I don't think you can tell by looking.

[elizabeth]

OK, so I don't know (and the doctor didn't know) whether C's was viral or bacterial.
But in any case, I don't think you can tell by looking.

Usually, the discharge is lighter (in color and amount) with viral, it's less crusty with viral, and usually, if it's in both eyes it's bacterial. The only way to really tell is to swab and culture, but I think that most doctors will guess, erring on the side of bacterial. I have had the swabs done, and it isn't pleasant, and not really something I want my kids subjected to if I can avoid it. Lots of time it will start as viral and develop a secondary bacteria when the eye is rubbbed.

[indigo]

Usually, the discharge is lighter (in color and amount) with viral, it's less crusty with viral, and usually, if it's in both eyes it's bacterial. The only way to really tell is to swab and culture, but I think that most doctors will guess, erring on the side of bacterial. I have had the swabs done, and it isn't pleasant, and not really something I want my kids subjected to if I can avoid it. Lots of time it will start as viral and develop a secondary bacteria when the eye is rubbbed.

Ouch! C didn't really have any discharge, and it was only in one eye. The drops were like magic!

[sarahrose]

Usually, the discharge is lighter (in color and amount) with viral, it's less crusty with viral, and usually, if it's in both eyes it's bacterial. The only way to really tell is to swab and culture, but I think that most doctors will guess, erring on the side of bacterial. I have had the swabs done, and it isn't pleasant, and not really something I want my kids subjected to if I can avoid it. Lots of time it will start as viral and develop a secondary bacteria when the eye is rubbbed.

Well then it's definatley bacterial. Guess another day at home is in order. He definatley looks better today but still a bit too goopy after a nights sleep to send in. And i have to cancel this afternoon's playdate.

I know it's selfish but when I don't go in I don't get paid. SO I'm lsing incoe over this. Income we need.

[sarahrose]

And now, since I ran out of drops, we have to go to the dr. to get new ones. (see my vent in letters). I hate being treated like an idiot by my dr's office.