“Pink Eye Going Around—AGAIN!”

You see the notification on your phone:

“FYI – multiple cases of pink eye in Mrs. Johnson’s class.”

Your heart sinks. Your kid is in Mrs. Johnson’s class.

Sure enough, the next morning: “Mom, my eye feels weird.”

Here we go again.

📚 Why Schools Are Pink Eye Breeding Grounds

January = peak pink eye season in schools. Here’s why:

• Back from winter break – mixing germ pools from different families
• Cold/flu season – viral pink eye often accompanies colds
• Indoor classroom time – less fresh air, more shared surfaces
• Kids touching EVERYTHING – then rubbing their eyes
• Close contact – circle time, group projects, lunch tables

One infected kid can spread pink eye to half the class in days.

What Parents Need to Know

It Looks Different Depending on the Type

VIRAL (most common in school outbreaks):

• Watery, clear tears
• Very red, very itchy
• Usually starts one eye, spreads to other
• May have runny nose, sore throat

BACTERIAL (needs antibiotics):

• Thick, goopy, yellow-green discharge
• Eyes crusted shut in morning
• More painful than viral
• Can spread to other eye

When to Bring Your Child to Winchester

Come in if:

• Eyes are red and producing discharge
• School requires doctor’s note before return
• Thick, colored goop (likely bacterial)
• Child complains of eye pain
• Vision seems blurry or affected
• Not improving after 3 days
• Infant or baby has pink eye (always needs evaluation)

What We Do at Night Watch

We specialize in pediatric care, and we see pink eye constantly this time of year:

• Quick examination to determine viral vs. bacterial
• Antibiotic eye drops if bacterial (prescribed on-site)
• School clearance notes so they can return
• Parent education on preventing spread to siblings
• Comfort measures for itchy, irritated eyes

🏠 Keeping It from Spreading at Home

You have multiple kids. How do you keep them ALL from getting it?

• Separate towels & pillows
• Wash hands constantly – especially after touching infected child’s face
• Change pillowcase daily
• Don’t let them share devices/tablets
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces – doorknobs, light switches, bathroom faucets
• Teach “don’t touch your eyes” (good luck)
• Wash infected child’s hands frequently

👶 Pink Eye in Babies

Infants with pink eye always need medical evaluation.

Why? Pink eye in newborns can indicate:

• Blocked tear duct (common, usually harmless)
• Bacterial infection (needs prompt treatment)
• In rare cases, serious infection requiring immediate care

If your baby (under 1 year) has red, goopy eyes, bring them in same day.

📅 When Can They Go Back to School?

Most schools require:

Bacterial pink eye: 24 hours after starting antibiotic drops + doctor’s note

Viral pink eye: When discharge has stopped and eyes are no longer red

We provide school clearance notes at your visit.

💡 Home Care Tips

While waiting for it to clear:

• Warm compress – helps loosen crusty discharge
• Gently wipe away discharge with clean, damp cloth (use once, wash)
• Cool compress – for itching relief
• No contact lenses until completely healed
• Skip eye makeup (and throw out old mascara after infection)

👁️ Pink eye is going around. We’ve seen it before. Get them diagnosed. Get them back to school.