Conjunctivitis can last between 5 to 15 days and during this time it is an easily transmitted infection, especially while the symptoms last.
Therefore, it is recommended that while you are having conjunctivitis, you should avoid going to work or school. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask for a medical certificate when you go to the consultation, because it is very important to keep away from work to avoid transmitting the conjunctivitis to other people.
See how the conjunctivitis treatment is done and what home remedies can be used.
The duration of symptoms depends on the type of conjunctivitis:
1. Viral conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis lasts on average 7 days, which is the time the body takes to fight the virus. Thus, people with a stronger immune system can heal in as little as 5 days, while those with the weakened immune system, such as the elderly or children, can take up to 12 days to heal.
To speed up the healing process, in addition to following the doctor's advice, it is advisable to take 2 glasses of orange juice with freshly-made acerola a day, because the vitamin C present in these fruits is great for helping the body's defenses.
2. Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis lasts on average 8 days, but symptoms may start to subside soon after the second day of antibiotic use.
However, to ensure cure of the disease, the antibiotic should be used for a period of time determined by the physician even if there are no more symptoms before that date. This care is important to ensure that the bacteria that causes conjunctivitis have actually been eliminated and not only weakened. See what can lead to misuse of antibiotics.
3. Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis has a very variable duration, as the symptoms of the disease tend to decrease after the second day of the start of an antihistamine. However, if the person does not take this medication and remains exposed to the allergy, the symptoms are likely to last longer, up to 15 days, for example.
Unlike other types, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and therefore there is no need to stay away from school or work.
