Pink Eye

[nurse-to-be1000]

I am hoping someone can help answer some questions about pink eye. I was seen by a PA today and told I have pink eye but he doesn't know if it is bacterial or viral. How can you tell if the type of pink eye someone has is bacterial or viral? I was given antibiotic eye drops which leads me to think he is leaning more towards bacterial but wasn't told how soon I should notice them working. I didn't think to ask but is it okay to go to work (I work in a non-healthcare setting) before I have been on the eye drops 24 hours? I have read a few things that say no but neither the PA or nurse said anything. My boss will probably be mad as can be if I call in sick since I only have 1 week left before I leave my job to go back to school. I worked today because I didn't realize it was pink eye; I assumed it was allergies but should have known it was something else since my right eye is pink and swollen while my left looks fine. Also, when will it be okay to work in a healthcare setting-I do some volunteer work? Frustrating when you come up with these qestions after you see the PA/doctor/NP. Thanks.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Best to call your doctor's office back for this type of thing. Dispensing medical advice to you would be beyond the scope of the website and would violate the Terms of Service.

I hope you feel better soon.