For as long as symptoms last - the CDC's rule is to stay home while the eye is still red, watery, or producing discharge, especially with close-contact work or school.
Viral pink eye often runs a week or two of symptoms; bacterial pink eye stops spreading within about 24 hours of antibiotic drops. Allergic pink eye is never contagious. During the window: relentless handwashing, no shared linens, toss the eye makeup, and glasses instead of contacts.
What to do
Common questions
How long is pink eye contagious?
For the contagious types - viral and bacterial - the working rule is that pink eye is contagious for as long as symptoms persist. The CDC frames the return decision directly: you should not attend work or school while you still have symptoms, especially if your activities involve close contact with others, and with your doctor's approval you can return once symptoms are resolving. For viral pink eye, that often means roughly a week or two of watery, red eyes; bacterial pink eye typically stops being a spreading risk within about 24 hours of starting antibiotic drops, when those are prescribed. Allergic pink eye is never contagious and never a reason to stay home. What carries it during the contagious stretch is mundane: fingers, towels, pillowcases, eye makeup, and contact lenses - so the household protocol is relentless handwashing, no shared linens, tossing the mascara used during the infection, and glasses instead of contacts until the eye is fully clear. Eye pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes are not routine pink eye and need prompt care. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you gauge your return day.