Sorry - last one on this - how long does Conjunctivitis take to clear with Anti-B's

[Snowstorm]

Really am sure this must be my last thread on the subject as once I've got an inkling on this then I'll know pretty much everything to know on the subject - thanks to the help from other MN'ers on my other threads!

So, DD2 (almost 6) started her anti-biotics on both her eyes today but I'm wondering roughly how long it'll take to clear. Anyone got any idea ... couple of days (I HOPE!)?

GP said that she had to continue to have the anti-b's for two days AFTER the infection was gone, so am hoping that I can send her to school with the stuff and that either a teacher or school nurse will administer the stuff or I'll pop there at lunchtime to do the middle of the day one myself.

It's her birthday/party on Saturday though, so am chomping at the bit to get both DC off to school so that I can do all that needs to be be done ... in their absence!

Anyone?

DD (13 months had it) as did I, took me about 3 days and DD for about 5 for oozing to stop. Check if you need to keep your drops in the fridge, maybe everyone knows that but me, but we had to get a second set of drops as we didn't keep the first lot in the fridge

Depends - if she has viral conjunctivitis ABs will only prevent it from getting worse; her own system will have to clear it. Can take over 1 week, sorry!

If it is bacterial, should see a difference within 24-48 hours, but yes, should really continue for at least a couple of days until after symptoms cleared.

If your LO and AB drops then ask for 2 bottles for the 2 eyes, mark 'right' and 'left' and use same bottle for the same eye everytime.

And everybody in the family must wash hands religiously and keep towels etc seperate... I say this a a mother of 3 and a GP who managed to spread conjunctivitis around all of us then right back to DS2 who'd started it all....

Thank god I started this thread ... just raced to check the instructions on the A-B's and they say to keep it in the fridge (only opened it at lunchtime - so am hoping that's okay). Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for that lobsters!

We don't have any oozing - that was just yesterday (when we got by on cooled boiled water and cleaning each eye).

PacificDogwood - I'm not sure which type she has. Excuse my ignorance but why would I need 2 bottles if I'm not touching any skin/eye with the bottle nozzle? Yes, we are doing a lot of handwashing, keeping hands away from faces in the meantime and towels/flannels etc. are kept separate anyway. I'm so busy trying to make sure that DD2 gets over it and that nobody else gets it this week, that DD2 isn't even allowed to borrow DD1's Nintendo DS, in case they're busy transfering germs by handling it and then rubbing their eyes or whatever.

More info here

The problem is that it is virtually impossible to know for certain by looking at red, watery, discharging eye whether the infection is viral or bacterial - viral is much more common.

Re 2 bottles: it is just to play safe. If you are confident that you are not touching anything (incl eye lashes) with the tip of the bottle you should be fine .

I suppose we always had quite a lot of wrangling and wrestling in the context of getting eye drops/ointment in...

DD2 is being amazing I have to say. It's a very weird sensation to have drops put in and for her to allow me to do it to both eyes four times a day ... what a superstar!

Am quietly confident that am not touching anything at all, although am struggling a bit with the little bottle as is very stiff to squeeze and so poor DD2 is lying there, with her head back, trying not to cringe away from the drops, as I'm inwardly cursing the little bottle as I struggle to get anything out, let alone two drops (have to do it in two shifts actually as she instinctively shuts her eye after the first drop has gone in).

She was surprised to be able to taste the eyedrops some moments afterwards ... but we've overcome that by her clutching a chocolate coin from her sweetbox for after each dose .

Am now going to read your info. link. Thank you very much.