Prevention

Pinkeye can spread in areas where people live, work, and play closely together. If you are around someone with pinkeye, wash your hands thoroughly and often.

• Day-care facilities and preschools will often not take a child with pinkeye to prevent infecting other children.
  
  
• Laboratories where people share microscopes are also places where infection can spread.
  
  
• People who share computer keyboards with others at work must be careful to wash their hands before they touch anywhere around their faces, especially during cold and flu season.
  
  
• Bedding, towels, and personal items that come in contact with secretions should not be shared. Wash and change sheets and pillowcases every day.
  
  
• Makeup should not be shared.
  
  
• Eyedrops should not be shared among individuals, since this may be the cause of spread of the infection.