MINISTRY OF HEALTH


CONJUNCTIVITIS
1st Edition -March 2024
 Talking Points on Conjunctivitis _1st Edition -March 2024

PREAMBLE.
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, are highly contagious and can spread from
person to person through direct contact, sharing of personal items, such as
towels or pillowcases, facial contact, or sharing eye drops or eyeglasses
Note that the allergic Conjunctivitis is not contagious. It usually affects both
eyes causing a lot of itching, tearing and may lead to sneezing.

However, we can reduce the risk of getting conjunctivitis or spreading it to

others by practicing personal good hygiene as follows:

Wash your hands frequently with clean water and soap or use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer.
Avoid direct contact with infected persons and handshakes.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
Report cases to the nearest health facility for appropriate management.

What is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis commonly known as ‘Red Eye’ is a highly contagious infection that
affects the covering of the eyeball (white part) and the inside of the eyelid. While
it is usually caused by a virus, it can also be caused by bacteria, allergen or
certain eye medication.

What are the symptoms of Conjunctivitis?

Symptoms can last from 2 days to 3 weeks. Symptoms usually include:
The whites of the eyes are pink or red. The eyelid may also be slightly swollen.
Watery eyes, there may be lots of tearing.
A grainy sensation and/or scratchy feeling in the eyes.
Itchiness, irritation, or burning of the eyes.
Pus or discharge from the eyes can make the eyelids sticky during sleep and can
collect in the corners of the eyes when you are awake.

Health Promotion, Education & Communication Dept. 1

 Talking Points on Conjunctivitis _1st Edition -March 2024

How does Conjunctivitis spread?

Conjunctivitis spreads easily from one infected person to another by:
Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
The air by coughing and sneezing.
Direct contact: when a person with Conjunctivitis touches the discharge from
their eye and then touches another person.
Indirect contact with an object that is contaminated with the virus/germs,
such as a tissue or a surface, is touched or touches another person’s eyes.
Droplet: When conjunctivitis is caused by a common cold, droplets from a
sneeze or cough can also spread it.

How do I protect myself and others from Conjunctivitis?

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and help young children
to do the same.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers – where available.
Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after touching someone
with Conjunctivitis or their personal items.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. This can worsen the condition or
spread it to your other eye.

Avoid sharing personal items, such as makeup, eye drops, towels,

beddings, containers, and eyeglasses.

For high-volume congregation areas like: schools, institutions, prisons,

markets, shopping arcades, places of worship), do the following:
Screen children who enter the school especially at parades. Isolate those found
with symptoms for treatment and management. Note: Sick children who are in
kindergarten or lower primary should stay home because at school these little
ones cannot practice the preventive options on their own.

Screen all prison inmates during the routine morning parades and most
especially the new ones and those on transfer to other prison facilities.

Install hand washing facilities at different points within the institution with
clean water and soap.

Provide the children and adults to practice the above-mentioned preventive

behaviours to avoid getting infected and spreading the disease to others.

Health Promotion, Education & Communication Dept.

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 Talking Points on Conjunctivitis _1st Edition -March 2024

How to care for your eyes when you have Conjunctivitis.

If, you have conjunctivitis, you can limit its spread to other people by doing
the following:
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20
seconds especially before and after cleaning, or applying eye drops
or ointment to your infected eye

With clean hands, wash any discharge from around your eye(s)
several times a day using a clean, wet washcloth or fresh cotton ball.
Throw away cotton balls after use, and wash used washcloths with
hot water and soap, then wash your hands again with soap and
warm water.

Do not use the same eye drop dispenser/bottle for your infected
and non-infected eyes.

Wash pillowcases, sheets, washcloths, and towels often in hot

water and detergent; wash your hands after handling such items.

Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor says it’s okay to
start wearing them again.
Clean, store, and replace your contact lenses as instructed by your
eye doctor.
Do not share personal items, such as pillows, washcloths, towels,
eye drops, eye or face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses,
contact lens storage cases, or eyeglasses.

Clean eyeglasses, being careful not to contaminate items (like hand

towels) that might be shared by other people.

How is Conjunctivitis treated?

The treatment may involve antibiotic eye drops or ointment and

will depend on the type of Conjunctivitis. Consult a doctor if you
think you or a family member has Conjunctivitis for further
treatment and management.

Health Promotion, Education & Communication Dept.

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 KEY TAKE HOME MESSAGES
Conjunctivitis commonly known as ‘Red Eye’ is a highly contagious
infection that affects the white covering of the eyeball and the
inside of the eyelid causing a lot of itching, tearing and red eyes.

Together we can prevent its spread by practicing frequent hand

washing with clean warm water and soap. Alternatively, use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Support affected young children to frequently wash their hands

with clean water and soap

Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.

Avoid sharing personal items, such as makeup, eye drops, towels,

beddings, containers, and eyeglasses.

Report all those with ‘Red Eye’ symptoms to the nearest health
facility for appropriate treatment.

In case you are in based in Kampala, please

call the KCCA toll free line: 0800 299000.
For further information call the Ministry of
Health toll free line: 0800 100066 or send a free
SMS to U-Report on 8500