Ailments & ConditionsYour Health

6 Common Causes of Pink Eye

Virus

Pink eye caused by viral infections is the most contagious type. Just like bacterial pink eye, there are also a lot of viruses that can cause pink eye. Viral conjunctivitis is transmitted when a person comes in contact with contaminated tears, eye discharge, and respiratory discharges. Your hands get contaminated when they touch any of these infected things, and then you transfer the virus to your eyes through your hands.

In some cases, it can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing. In very rare cases, the viruses that cause herpes can be passed from mother to child during childbirth, and this can cause very severe conjunctivitis in the infant. In some cases, a viral pink eye will cause flu-like symptoms such as runny nose and congestion. Also, the eyes will become puffy and red, and it will be more challenging to look at a light because the eyes will become more sensitive.[3]