Apollo, more commonly known as conjunctivitis or pink eye, is an inflammation of the eye’s outermost layer. It causes painful, red, and itchy eyes. There are several types of conjunctivitis, including viral pink eye, bacterial pink eye, and allergic pink eye. The time it takes to clear up depends on the type of conjunctivitis. Most of the time, pink eye clears up in 7 to 10 days. However, infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious.
Since most people experience a mix of symptoms and signs, it is common to wonder how quickly it will pass. Below, we will walk you through what causes pink eye, how long it lasts, how long it is contagious, how to prevent it, and when to seek medical attention.
What Causes Apollo Eye Infection?
Several things may cause pink eyes. However, the two broad categories are:
- Infectious
The most common cause of conjunctivitis is infection. It can be caused by two categories:
- Viruses: The most common virus that causes pink eye is adenovirus. Viruses can cause one or both eyes. People with viral pink eye usually experience mild itchiness and watery eyes. They might also have viral symptoms like fever, congestion, and sore throat.
- Bacteria: More commonly, bacteria cause pink eye in children than adults. The bacterial pink eye generally starts in just one eye with a lot of redness, although it can spread to another. It can also cause a lot of yellow or green drainage. Many people also experience a stinging-like sensation.
- Non-infectious (Inflammatory)
Many people associate pink eye disease with an infection. But there are other things that can cause eye inflammation that feel and look similar to the infection:
- Allergies: It is the most common cause of noninfectious pink eye. It tends to be more itchy, causes watery discharge, and can affect both eyes. It can be accompanied by other allergy signs, such as congestion and sneezing, but this is not always true. Common allergens also include pollen, animals, or dust.
- Irritants: Air pollution and chemicals like those in cleaning solutions can irritate your eye and cause pink eye. Even eye drops can also cause pink eye.
Other Illnesses: In a few cases, pink eye can be caused by an illness that can affect the entire body. Some of the examples are Kawaski’s disease and Sjrgen’s syndrome.
How Long Does Apollo Eye Infection Last?
- Viral: Pink eye caused by a viral can last up to one to two weeks. But it can also last up to three weeks maximum.
- Bacterial: Mild bacterial infection can resolve on its own within one week without any medication or treatment. More serious cases can last up to not more than ten days.
- Allergic: The duration of allergic conjunctivitis depends on how long the person is exposed to allergens. Symptoms can resolve within 24 hours once the allergen is removed. However, it can be challenging to identify the reason and even harder to remove it. For example, seasonal pollen can be hard to avoid. And if you are allergic to pet dander, it means having to re-home a pet.
- Other Illnesses: If conjunctivitis is a large part of an illness, the time course will be variable depending on the underlying illnesses. And this will improve once the condition is treated.
How Long is Apollo Eye Infection Contagious?
Infectious conjunctivitis can be highly infectious, especially if it is viral. If you are facing symptoms, you can spread pink eyes to others. This means you could be contagious for as long as two to three weeks.
Infectious conjunctivitis can spread easily by direct contact. When you touch your eye, the bacteria or virus gets on your fingers. And it can then spread to other people through physical touch or shared surfaces.
Here are some ways to minimize the spreading of these germs:
- Wash your hands
- Avoid touching your eyes
- Stop wearing contacts
- Do not share handkerchiefs, towels, cosmetic products, food, or drinks
- Do not swim in a pool
- Stay at home until your symptoms clear up
When Should I See a Doctor for Apollo Eye Infection?
If you have any of the symptoms below, you should visit an eye care clinic and consult a qualified doctor.
- Significant Pain: Mild stinging is normal, but having significant eye redness and pain can be a sign of other eye conditions. Remember that your eyes should not hurt a lot.
- Light Sensitivity: If light bothers you to the point that you can’t even open your eyes, this also recommends that something else is going on.
- Trauma to the Eye: It is important to have an eye test if you were recently hit or scratched in the eye. Even very small scratches can cause corneal abrasions.
- Vision Changes: Tearing up can cause blurriness or vision changes. But this should be resolved as soon as the discharge is removed.
- No Improvement: If your symptoms worsen over time, it is the right time to consult an eye doctor about the treatment.
The Bottom Line
Apollo eye infection is a very common condition. Most of the time, it is a nuisance that will resolve on its own. But if it is caused by an infection, it can last up to a few weeks.
Until your symptoms resolve, avoid touching your eyes, and wash your hands often. If your symptoms don’t improve after a couple of weeks, visiting an eye care clinic is best.