Should conjunctivitis be this bad??

[DinkeyMoo]

Hi everyone

Looking for some advice, first child and first bout of conjunctivitis. DD is 2.5, eyes became red and slightly pussy on Wednesday. Got some eye drops from the chemist. Since then the puss has mainly gone but one eye is still roaring red blood shot, both eyes are swollen and purple. She has had a fever on and off since then which I'm trying to control with calpol. She has developed a cough and cold and is not eating at all and not sleeping at all. Last night we probably totalled about an hours sleep overall. is this is all normal to go with conjunctivitis? I thought it was just an infection in the eye so not prepared for just how poorly she has been - can't remember last seeing her this unwell and she is exhausted and beside herself.

Thanks in advance

[Iggly]

I'd take her in to out of hours gp. It sounds quite bad!

[Imnotaslimjim]

Sounds like she's having a tough time, I'd take her to be checked just to be on the safe side

[BikeRunSki]

It sounds like age has conjunctivitis and a bad cold too, but how you describe her eyes is normal for conjunctivitis. The eye drops should work on about 48 hrs.

[Bakeoffcake]

Please take her to A and E. it probably is conjunctivitis but I know an 18mth old who had very similar problems.
She went to the drs but was referred straight to hospital. Sometimes an eye infection needs intravenous antibiotics to stop the infection. My friends little girl was in hosp for 3 days.
I'm not trying to alarm you but the fact you've said she's so poorly means she needs to be looked at ASAP.

[WowOoo]

Poor thing. Make sure you change pillows daily. Flannels and towels also. It is so contagious.

Hope she catches up on sleep today. Mine never had it at the same time as a cough with a temperature. I think she's been quite unlucky.

[MigGril]

Both my husband and Son only get it at the same time as a cold and have never passed it too the rest of us. she does sound poorly and worth getting checked out. The eye systems do sound quit normal though, it can take longer then some think for it to totally clear. Cleaning the eyes with cooled boiled water can really help. use cotten pads once on each eye and throw them away helpssooth them.

[DinkeyMoo]

Thanks all. I called 111 for advice, they got an out of hours Dr to call me back. Said I could bring her in but didn't sound too concerned, just told me to make sure the swelling of the eyes doesn't spread. I will see how she goes today.
Really appreciate the advice, thanks everyone

[SusannahD]

Glad you got docs out sounds like cellulitis

[Madjackmcvitae]

I thought my DD had conjunctivitis when she was about 14 months old. Became feverish and out of hours admitted her to hospital she was in about a week needing IV antivirals and antibiotics for facial cellulitis which they were very concerned about spreading to the back of the eyes and beyond. She was also found to have a bad chest infection requiring a different IV antibiotic. She never has done things by half, but please take her especially with a temp.

[amberstone22]

Hi my 18month old grandson was diagnosed with conjunctivitis and was given drops (clear liquid) although difficult to administer when they are not well and not co-operating we managed but the eyes got much worse, very swollen red/purple and sticky and closed up after baby sleeping so had to bathe very gently 3/4 times day to keep very clean. We went back to GP after 4 days. He said drops should have worked by now for mild conjunctivitis so gave us other drops but more of an ointment in consistency- still had to be clever to get the job done! they started to work within a couple of days and is now cleared up 2 weeks.
If you baby is unwell with cough and cold as well- take back to GP. They don't mind how many times you go with a baby- better to be safe than sorry is the saying- hope smiles again soon!