conjunctivitis and social etiquette

[cane]

dd1 has just picked up conjunctivitis. She's 2.9 and this is the first time we've had it so I feel like a real novice - can she go out and play with her friends? Can her friends come to us and play? How long will it last once we've started the eye drops? Any advice gratefully recieved! Thanks!

I don't know, sorry

I would ring NHS direct if it was me - and I hope your dd is better soon

Ah, thanks - we've been to the GP and got drops for her eyes!

No, I mean I would ring NHS direct to ask about whether it is contagious, etc

Oh! Erm, last tine i rang nhs direct i was put on hold for 45 mins!!

It's very contagious .. but pretty harmless/won't bother her. We've had it a few times... I avoid busy places (eg softplays) & let people know/ask if they mind seeing us. I personally wouldn't see people if her eyes are really gunky, and have usually avoided seeing people for the first 24/48 hours of treatment - esp if you have friends who work as many nurseries/cms won't take kids with conjunctivitus b/cos it's so easily passed round. The drops usually clear it up pretty fast (after 24/48 hrs both of mine always looked pretty much ok), but it's worth continuing treatment 2 days after eyes look ok to check all clear.
Btw, our GP advised NOT using drops, as most infections apparently clear up on their own after 5 days. Didn't work for dd, but did for mine
HTH!

Nurseries often ban sticky eyed children for 24 hours, so if your friends babies are are nursery keep her away from them. It is highly contagious, but clears up quickly with antibiotic drops (from chemist).

Oh yes, for future resf, once they're over 2 you can just buy eye drops - no need to go to GP