Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis can last anywhere between a few days to a couple of weeks. In more severe cases, it can last a bit longer. It’s best to see your optometrist when you have the early signs of conjunctivitis as they will be able to advise on potential treatment as well as recovery time.

Depending on the cause, conjunctivitis can be contagious and can spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces like pillowcases, towels, and tissues. So it’s important that you make sure to properly cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, regularly wash your hands, and avoid sharing towels or bedding while you have the infection in order to limit the spread.

Conjunctivitis usually stays contagious for as long as you have symptoms, especially if you have any kind of eye discharge.

It’s a good idea to avoid swimming while you have conjunctivitis. This is because the bacterial and viral types of conjunctivitis are very contagious, and it's still possible to spread the infection to others using the swimming pool, even if the water is chlorinated and you’re wearing goggles. Pink eye can spread during activities in the water, as well as through sharing things like towels, sunscreen and goggles.   

In some instances, swimming  can also worsen the case of conjunctivitis. For example, chlorine is a chemical irritant that can increase the discomfort caused by conjunctivitis. It also washes away the tear film that protects your eyes and keeps them moist and protected from further infection.  

Outdoor swimming while you have conjunctivitis can be just as harmful to your eyes. Although the salt in outdoor saltwater pools is not as harsh an irritant as chlorine, it can still cause eye redness and other general eye discomfort. Fresh water swimming can also increase your exposure to bacteria and other infectious agents, so it’s best to avoid that if you’re already being treated for conjunctivitis.