Dear Parents,

A student at our school, or in your child’s class, has Conjunctivitis (pinkeye).

Please take these precautions:

1. Watch your child and family members for signs of pinkeye.
2. See your health care provider if your child develops conjunctivitis.  Your child may need to be given an eye medication.
3. Do not send your child to school until 24 hours after you start giving the medicine.  If your health care provider decides not to prescribe an eye medicine, ask for a note to ensure your child’s attendance.
4. Tell us if your child is being treated for conjunctivitis.
5. Remind your children to wash their hands frequently to help prevent any further transmission.

Information about conjunctivitis:

What is it?  Conjunctivitis is an infection of the eyes.  A virus most often causes it but bacteria can also cause the infection.  The white part of the eyes becomes red, the eyes may hurt of feel itchy or scratchy, and the eyes may produce a lot of tears and discharge.   In the morning, the discharge (pus) may make the eyelids stick together.  (Some children and adults have allergies that can cause all of the above symptoms except for the discharge).  Conjunctivitis is a mild illness; it is not dangerous, however it is highly contagious.  Doctors usually prescribe an antibiotic eye medication. 

How do you catch conjunctivitis?  The discharge (pus) is infectious.  If children rub their eyes, the pus gets on their hands.  They can then touch someone else’s face, eyes or hands, or touch an object.  If other children get the discharge on their hands and then touch their own eyes, they have transmitted the virus or bacteria.  It can spread easily among young children who repeatedly touch their face and eyes and everything else, and who do not always wash their hands frequently. 

What should you do if your child has conjunctivitis? 

1. Keep your child’s eyes free of any discharge by washing with paper tissues and throwing them away promptly.
2. Always thoroughly wash your hands after wiping your child’s eyes.
3. Teach your children to wash their hands frequently especially after wiping their eyes.
4. Ask your health care provider if your child needs to be treated with an eye medication.
5. Be sure to wash anything that touches your child’s eyes (washcloths, towels, toys, pillowcases etc.).
6. Keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after starting any medication and until there is no further discharge from the affected eyes.
7. Call the Health Office when your child is absent and inform the School Nurse.

Thank You