Pink Eye

Probably not what you wanted to hear!

Pink eye (also called conjuctivitis) has several possible causes. It
can be caused by allergies, chemicals, bacteria, and viruses. Because
there are several different causes of pink eye, the length of time of the
condition also varies.
If the condition is caused by allergies or chemicals, pink eye will
last as long as you are in contact with the allergens (like pollen) or
chemicals. For someone with allergies, this may mean having pink eye every
year when allergy season occurs.
The other two causes of pink eye are bacteria and viruses. Pink eye
caused by bacteria can be cured with antibiotics. This usually takes a few
days to one week. Pink eye caused by viruses cannot be cured with
antibiotics. However, your body's immune system can get the infection
under control in two to three weeks.
Bacterial and viral conjuctivitis are contagious. It is often
recommended that anything that comes in contact with the infected eye(s) be
washed (such as towels, and clothing), as well as surfaces the infected
individual may have touched, such as countertops and doorknobs. In
addition, if cosmetics, false eyelashes, or contact lenses are used by the
infected person, it is recommended that they be discarded.
Viral conjunctivitis is the more common of these two types. Although
the symptoms of viral conjuncitvitis begin to go away after a week, the
virus is still present in the body for as long as a month. For this
reason, children and adults are recommended to stay home for at least a
week after contracting the infection.
The answer to your question depends on which agent caused the
conjunctivitis (environmental or biological). For conjunctivitis caused by
biological agents (bacteria or viruses), the answer also depends on which
organism caused the infection. There are many kinds of bacteria and
several viruses that cause conjunctivitis. It is usually not the case that
a virus or bacterium has been hanging out in someone's make-up or on a
countertop for months waiting to cause conjunctivitis. You are more likely
to get this condition from direct or indirect immediate contact from
someone who already has the condition.

Do your kitties have drippy eyes too? Sometimes you can get it from animals. If so, they may need some cream for their eyes as well.

Pink eye stinks. There are different meds your doc can give you. I get it just about every year from a kid at school. I go to my eye doctor to treat it. They have different meds that they know when/how to prescribe.

Make sure you wash towels and sheets frequently and with hot water. Obviously makeup, glasses, anything you touch when you touch your face, etc. Just keep washing your hands and try not to touch your face.

I use a fairly warm facecloth (wet) as a compress. When it cools off I throw it right into the wash.

when you are cleaning/sterilizign things, dont' forget to do your door knobs. That is the one thing that no one thinks to clean...BUT we all wipe our eyes, scratch our eyes, whatever and then ya gotta open doors It can be a royal pain to get rid of. Make sure you all are washing your hands all teh time and good luck