Conjunctivitis: will antibiotics help?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Is it necessary to use antibiotic ointment to treat conjunctivitis? From time to time we get an outbreak of sticky, red eyes in our family. Sometimes we get chloramphenicol antibiotic ointment on prescription, and this seems to clear it up. But last week, on holiday, the conjunctivitis cleared up after cotton wool and boiled water.
Dr Fred Kavalier answers your health question:
Conjunctivitis is usually caused by a viral infection of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear, moist membrane that coats the inner surfaces of the eyelids and the outer surface of the eye. Antibiotics do not kill viruses, and, therefore, it is usually not necessary to treat conjunctivitis with antibiotic eye-drops or ointment. Simply keeping the eye clear by mopping it out with cotton wool and clean water is all that is necessary. If the eyelids become exceptionally red and puffy, or it the eye itself becomes very red, it may mean that a bacterial infection has developed on top of the viral infection. Even in this case, simple mopping out may be enough. But if the redness is worsening and spreading, antibiotic ointment will probably solve the problem. It is important to remember that not all red eyes are caused by conjunctivitis. If your vision is affected, or if the eye is painful, you should see a doctor quickly.
Please mail your questions for Dr Fred to health@independent.co.uk. He regrets that he is unable to respond personally to questions.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments