Can bacterial pink eye cause sore throat

Struggling with red, swollen, painful eyes? You may have conjunctivitis, also called pink eye. It happens when the conjunctiva — the thin, clear lining of the inside of the eyelid and white part of the eyeball — is irritated by an infection or allergies.

How Do You Get Pink Eye? Is It Contagious?

There are several types of pink eye. Some are especially contagious, including:

• Viral conjunctivitis. This is the most common type of pink eye. It’s usually caused by the same common cold virus that triggers a runny nose and sore throat.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis: Bacterial infections bring on this kind of pink eye. Sometimes the bacteria that cause pink eye are the same as those that cause strep throat.

The most common ways to get these contagious forms of pink eye include:

• Touching an infected person’s bodily fluids, usually through hand-to-eye contact
• Spreading the infection from bacteria living in the person’s own nose and sinuses
• Not cleaning contact lenses properly

Other types of pink eye are equally annoying but are not contagious. They include:

• Allergic conjunctivitis. An allergic reactionn to pollen or animals.
• Chemical conjunctivitis. Irritation from cigarette smoke, car fumes, or pool chlorine.

Most pink eye infections will clear up on their own in a week or two. But some types can pose more serious risks.

How Is Pink Eye Treated?

Treatment of pink eye depends on the cause:

• Viral. Just like a common cold, the pink eye virus has to run its course — which may take as long as two to three weeks. Symptoms can be eased with cool compresses and artificial tear solutions. If you have a severe case, your doctor may prescribe topical steroid drops to reduce discomfort.
• Bacterial. This type of pink eye is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments. Symptoms may improve significantly after three or four days. Be sure to finish the medicine to prevent recurrence.
• Allergic. The first step is to remove what’s irritating your eyes. Cool compresses and artificial tears can relieve pain in mild cases. More severe cases may call for antihistamines or NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Chemical. Start by flushing your eyes with saline. You may also need a topical steroid. Severe chemical injuries can lead to scarring, damage to the eye, or even loss of the eye. If a chemical comes in contact with your eye, flush the eye with lots of water for several minutes, then seek immediate medical attention.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Most pink eye infections will clear up on their own in a week or two. But some types can pose more serious risks. Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms:

• Moderate to severe eye pain
• Sensitivity to light or blurred vision
• Intense eye redness
• A weakened immune system, for example, from HIV or cancer treatment
• Symptoms that worsen, including bacterial pink eye that doesn’t get better after 24 hours of antibiotic use
• Preexisting eye conditions that may put you at risk for complications

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Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Optometric Association; Centers for Disease Control (CDC); Medline Plus

Pink eye results in redness or swelling of the eye or eyelids, eye discharge, irritated eyes, and more. This particular condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergens or irritants. If you are suffering from both strep throat and bacterial conjunctivitis, they can easily be treated with the use of antibiotics. In some cases, however, experiencing strep throat with symptoms of pink eye could indicate the presence of a virus. If the cause is found to be viral, it most commonly is caused by an adenovirus and, while not necessarily dangerous, is considered highly contagious.

In either case, experiencing symptoms of both strep throat and pink eye warrant a trip to the doctor’s office. Without a correct diagnosis, treatments may be ineffective, prolonging the illness or allowing it to progress. At Midwest Express Clinic, we are fully prepared to handle either situation – or both! We will help you find relief for your pink eye and can perform a rapid strep test to determine if your sore throat is caused by strep.

Don’t wait around to feel better. Visit one of our walk-in clinic locations today!

Viral conjunctivitis, also called “pink eye”, is a highly contagious eye infection that causes inflammation of the eye’s outer surface. Read on to learn more about this condition and how we can help.

You wake up one morning, look in the mirror and notice that one or both of your eyes is swollen, red, and watery. Is it serious? Will it go away on its own? Should you call your eye doctor?

All great questions — and below we’ll answer them and give you a better understanding of what viral conjunctivitis is and when to contact your eye doctor.

For any and all concerns or questions about your eye health, or to schedule your annual eye exam, Allisonville Eye Care Center in Fishers is here for you.

What Is Viral Conjunctivitis?

Commonly known as “pink eye”, conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the eye’s conjunctiva, the thin membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the eye’s surface. There are three types of conjunctivitis: viral, bacterial, and non-infectious.

The virus that most commonly causes conjunctivitis also causes the common cold, so coughing and sneezing can easily transfer the infection from one host to another.

What are Some Signs and Symptoms?

Someone with viral conjunctivitis may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pink or red eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Grittiness
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Burning sensation
• Sensitivity to light
• Crusty eyelids in the morning
• Watery eye discharge

Because viral conjunctivitis is often caused by the common cold virus, you may experience a runny nose or sore throat along with your pink eye.

When Should You Call Your Eye Doctor?

Even in mild cases of viral conjunctivitis, the infection can be highly contagious, so it is highly recommended to contact your eye doctor to discuss the best ways to manage the condition.

Severe viral conjunctivitis warrants an immediate call to your eye doctor. Promptly let us know if you experience any of the following symptoms along with your pink eye:

• Intense eye pain
• Inability to open the affected eye
• Visual disturbances
• Severe light sensitivity
• Extreme redness

Even if you only have mild symptoms, contact your eye doctor if your condition doesn’t improve within two days. Bacterial conjunctivitis produces similar symptoms but requires antibiotic medications, which your eye doctor will prescribe. Only an eye exam can determine which type of conjunctivitis you have.

Treatment for viral conjunctivitis focuses primarily on symptom relief, and your local Fishers Eye Doctor will recommend the most effective treatment to help soothe your eyes and ensure the infection is controlled.

If you or a loved one has pink eye or any other eye problem, call Allisonville Eye Care Center in Fishers, Indiana to schedule your comprehensive eye exam today.

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Astigmatism, Pink Eye or conjunctivitis Myopia or Nearsightedness , Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Fishers eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

Allisonville Eye Care Center, your Fishers eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

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• Is allergic conjunctivitis the same as “pink eye”?

  Allergic conjunctivitis is the clinical term of ocular inflammation of the lining or membrane of the eye, called the conjunctiva, caused by allergic reactions to substances. Although a patient may present with red or pink eyes from excess inflammation, the common term "pink eye"can signify a broad term of conditions and can be misleading, as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other irritating substances can cause redness resembling a "pink eye." Your eye doctor can differentiate between an allergy reaction and a true infection, which can lead to faster healing with proper treatments.

• What gets rid of pink eye fast?

  If you’re having bacterial pink eye symptoms, the fastest way to treat them is to see your local Eye Doctor. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic eye drops. Using antibiotic eyedrops can shorten the duration of pink eye.

• How Long Does Pink Eye Last?

  Most of the time, pink eye clears up within a few days to two weeks.

• How long are you contagious with pink eye?

  Pink eye is a common eye condition that causes painful, red, and itchy eyes. Bacteria, viruses, or allergies can cause pink eye. Viral and bacterial pink eye are both highly contagious. Both adults and children can get pink eye and should stay away from work, school, or daycare until their symptoms clear.

  Can an eye infection cause a throat infection?

  Adenoviruses are a common cause of colds and respiratory infections too. Your body's mucous membrane connects your lungs, nose, throat, tear ducts, and conjunctiva, a thin membrane lining your eye and eyelid. This creates an easy passageway for the virus to spread from your eye to your respiratory system.

  Is pink eye and strep throat related?

  Unfortunately, when adults are afflicted with a bacterial strep infection, it is also possible to get a case of bacterial conjunctivitis, otherwise known as pink eye. Pink eye results in redness or swelling of the eye or eyelids, eye discharge, irritated eyes, and more.

  Can bacterial conjunctivitis cause other symptoms?

  Complications of bacterial conjunctivitis However, in a small number of severe cases, the infection can cause serious complications, including: Ulcers on the cornea of the eye. Damage to vision. Otitis media, an ear infection.

  Can pink eye cause flu like symptoms?

  Depending on the cause of viral conjunctivitis, some patients may have additional symptoms or conditions, such as the following: Common cold, flu, or other respiratory infection.