Is this viral or bacterial conjunctivitis??

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DS1 (3), DS2 (10 wks) and I all have a stinking cold. DS1 started a nasty greeny-yellow ooze from his eyes a couple of days ago - DS2 is gunk-free so far. I presumed that DS1 had a case of conjunctivitis on top of the cold, and treated it with cooled boiled water and breastmilk since I have some to hand! It's getting gankier, though.

I spoke to a GP today on the phone, because I was worried DS2 would get it and knew antibiotic drops are prescribed for this. As soon as the GP heard he had a cold, he said it'll be viral conjunctivitis, not bacterial. Antibiotics can't treat viral conditions, it'll clear on its own as the cold clears up. Ok, but since then I've been looking online (was trying to see if there's actually any evidence that breastmilk helps the condition!) and came across several mentions that bacterial conjunctivitis is what has the greenish-yellow goo, and viral tends to have watery discharge.

DS1 has the green goo. I did tell the GP this. So which has he got, and if I think it might be bacterial, should I actually try to get an appointment so it can be seen, and given antibiotic eyedrops? Would hate for DS2 to get this. And it's DS1's birthday later this week, and don't want to pass it on to his friends either.

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IME bacterial equal green gunk and not too horrid. viral pretty nasty, dd has it six months ago and it doctors making me check back in with them by phone cause high temp, really knocked for six. also viral the white of the eye was much redder, wheras bacterial (which ds currently has) is more glued together.

Sounds bacterial - DS has a cold already, so is moany about that, but the eye gunk is def greeny-yellow, eye not too blooshot.

So what are you doing about your own DS's bacterial case? I've read that nowadays we're told to bathe the eye and it'll clear up on its own. If it's not necessarily part of the cold that both DSs have, I really don't want teeny DS2 to get it.

I seem to have this myself at the moment ... eyes stuck together in the morning and watery all day getting red at times. Ive just been bathing them ... but wondering now whether I should see if I can get some drops?

Green gunk almost certainly bacterial. Viral doesn't tend to go gunky.

Doesn't mean it needs ABs though. Cooled boiled water and time and it should heal.

If it is looking no better after 3-5 days then go to GP (which by the sounds of your OP you may actually be approaching 3 dyas anyway).

It will usually settle on it's own whether viral or bacterial, but will probably settle quicker with drops.

You can buy chloramphenicol drops over the counter for over 2's, or many areas will have a minor ailments/care at the chemist scheme where you can get them free (I got the same stuff for my 2yo at the weekend from the pharmacy, free)

I would be inclined to treat, as it is uncomfortable. Bathe with cooled boiled water or breastmilk, do not share towels, wash hands a lot, and try the pharmacy in the morning.