Hey :wave: . I have a question about bacterial conjunctivitis... I have had it since Saturday, and I just started antibacterial drops yesterday. Here's the dilemma: I have an appointment that I'd have to wait 2 months to reschedule for chronic back pain tomorrow. My eyes are still oozing green and yellow mucus from my eyes to the point where I have to wipe it out every 10 minutes just so I can see. Can I go??? Not only do I not want to spread it to others, but you can absolutely tell that I have conjunctivitis and I know that if I saw someone in a waiting room for a back pain clinic with conjunctivitis, I would think they were out of their minds and be disgusted. If I do go, there is no way that I wouldn't wear makeup, so instead of using all the new stuff that I bought, should I clean up my old makeup as much as I can and put that on? Or will it reinfect? I was thinking that because it hasn't cleared up in the slightest, it wouldn't really matter. Thanks for any help. :)

I would hope that anyone with a contagious disease stays at home, away from work or public contact. If you are wiping your eye often, you know that you've got the matter on your hands, door knobs, door handle, steering wheel, shifter and everything you touch. In the doctor's office, you would touch door knobs, chair armrests, the reception desk, pen and paper, and it continues on to possibly the rest room, exam room, etc. You have the potential to infect dozens of unsuspecting people, some of whom might not be able to affort to stay home from work or unknowingly infect their babies, children or elderly family members.

I worked with a man who came to work with pinkeye. He had touched everything in the office, and was using his eyedrops over the break room sink! I asked him to go home, and he said, "Mr. "B" would like me to be here working." I answered, "He wouldn't want you here spreading a contagious disease." I gathered up my work and informed the manager I was going home until my co-worker's infection cleared up. The infected co-worker then agreed to go home, and I proceeded to disinfect the office.

It's your call how badly you need the appointment. I would bet that if you called and informed the receptionist of your dilemma, she would find an appointment for you into next week.