Please only serious answers if you have one. thanks!
2006-06-26 17:07:08 · 13 answers · asked by MJ Boulevard 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
pink·eye (pĭngk'ī')
n.
An acute, very contagious form of conjunctivitis, caused by the hemophilic bacterium Hemophilus aegyptius and characterized by inflammation of the eyelids and eyeballs.
2006-06-26 17:17:15 · answer #1 · answered by egymah 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Kind of, sometimes, but not really. It's usually a result of bad luck. "pink eye" can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergic reaction.
If you're talking about the infectious type: when someone with bacterial or viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) itches their itchy, infected eye(s), then touches a door knob, public phone, salt shaker, etc. they can potentially infect the next person to touch the same object if that person (the victim) happens to itch their eye or close to it. Of course all of the touching needs to happen in a relatively short period of time. Most viruses can't survive without a host (your body) for more than a few minutes. Bacteria are more resilient and can survive longer, but need to be dispersed in greater quantity to have the same effect as a virus.
Wash your hands often. Don't touch your face when your tromping about in public (unless you've washed your hands) and you'll evade conjunctivitis.
Bottom line is, even meticulously clean people may forget to wash their hands before itching their face. Scratching an itch is more of an instinct than a forethought. Anyone can get it if their number comes up.
2006-06-26 17:30:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
SIX CAUSES OF PINK EYE
1. Bacteria – when the eyes are red with yellow or green drainage oozing or crusting in the eye throughout the day and night, then bacteria are usually the culprit. The eyelids may also be swollen. Affects one or both eyes.
2. Virus – when the eyes are very red, but there is no drainage, or only a small amount of drainage or crusting upon waking up, then it is probably viral conjunctivitis. Usually affects both eyes
3. Allergy – allergic conjunctivitis is usually seasonal, mostly in the spring. The eyes are usually red with no drainage, and unusually itchy. Usually affects both eyes.
4. Foreign body – a piece of sand or dirt stuck under the eyelid can cause redness, tearing, pain and drainage. Usually affects one eye.
5. Plugged tear duct– this is a problem for newborns up to one year of age. It is eye drainage without any eye redness. Affects one or both eyes. Click on it for more info.
6. Scratched eye– can cause redness, tearing, and is very painful. Affects only one eye. Click on it for more info.
2006-06-26 18:36:49 · answer #3 · answered by purple 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually, pink eye is the common name for several conditions that cause reddening of the conjunctiva of the eye(s). the medical name for it is conjunctivitis. it can be cause by bacteria, a virus, or allergies. hygiene has nothing to do with transmission of the bacterial and viral types, since everyone will, at one time or another, touch their eyes. The bacteria and viral types are readily transmitted from one person to another and from one's left eye to right, or visa versa. bacterial conj. generally causes a yellowish discharge from the eye and needs an antibiotic to treat, while viral conj. causes a clear discharge and will clear without an antibiotic. Hope this helps.
2006-06-26 17:51:02 · answer #4 · answered by canary 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pink eye can be caused by:
a virus
bacteria
allergies
Viral and bacterial are contagious so don't share eye makeup, washcloths or towels. Wash your hands frequently. The easiet way to spread it is to touch your eyes then touch something...someone else touches that same thing (say a doorknob) then rubs their eye and...bingo...they have pink eye!
2006-06-26 17:14:20 · answer #5 · answered by ilse72 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Pink eye is caused by a bacteria. If you have bad hygiene, this can increase your changes of getting pink eye (because more bacteria will be around), but bad hygiene alone will not cause pink eye.
2006-06-26 17:11:10 · answer #6 · answered by Princess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO hygeine has nothing to do with it. It comes from bacteria that is spread to the eye. It can come from bacteria in theair.
2006-06-26 17:11:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heck no! Its just a very contigous dease. A lot of children get it to, so if you hang around them there is a chance that you will get it too. Its just like the common cold.
2006-06-26 17:12:15 · answer #8 · answered by Janel Nelson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's funny, I just had pink eye last week. I think you just get it from other people (touching a hand rail that they touched and then your eye).
2006-06-26 17:11:17 · answer #9 · answered by thousandheirs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, its a very contageous virus that is passed on by touching it and rubbing your eye.
2006-06-26 17:10:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋