3 weeks of conjunctivitis -getting worried

[Ernie01]

My 6 month old has had conjunctivitis for 3 weeks. Producing lots of yellow gunk but not responding to chloramphenicol or fucidin eye drops. The doc took a swab last week which we should get the result of this week but I am beginning to think there might be something badly wrong. Any thoughts gratefully received.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Any other symptoms beyond conjunctivitis? It can last 28 days. Don't suppose you have any access to human breastmilk? Tis v good for sorting it out when conventional antibiotics fail.

Are you sure: (1) that the eye drops have been going and staying in and (2) that s/he isn't actively poking and making the infection worse?

Tis most likely a staphococcus infection, very common. It is often the case that these do drag on. Are you cleaning the eyes often with sterile water and cotton wool?

[Ernie01]

Sadly stopped breastfeeding just before conjunctivitis started... (connection?). There are a couple of mums at school with my older one who are b'feeding.. could ask for a bit I suppose! Think maybe need to be cleaning the eyes much more often, and no am not convinced that the eye drops are going in - it is incredibly hard with a small baby. I will do lots of cleaning for the next couple of days and see what happens. Many thanks for your reply,

[whomovedmychocolate]

Applying eyedrops is very hard, you need to invert the child - ie turn him/her upside down - I know it sounds weird but wrap the baby in a towel and put head in crook of your elbow - stops movement - you may need someone to help you. You could perhaps try expressing - I bet you still have some milk left - use a sterile cup obviously.

If the eyedrops are not getting in effectively, tell the GP to give you another course of Fucidin and ask him to show you the correct way of getting them in. Or ask for ointment - yes it's icky but it's harder for the baby to rub it away and also easier to apply (once you get past the boak factor ).