Someone who is diagnosed with conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, may want to know how long does pink eye last? The general answer to that question lies in which type of pink eye it is. Different types of pink eye tend to last for different time frames.

Even the same type of pink eye in two separate people is likely to last for a different number of days. There is no firm answer to the question, how long does pink eye last. People with pink eye can only know a general timeframe for each type of pink eye and how long their type may last within days or weeks.

Bacterial pink eye tends to last seven to ten days. After people with bacterial pink eye have been on the antibiotic for over twenty-four hours, they are usually cleared to return to work or school. After the person has been on an antibiotic for bacterial pink eye, the bacterial pink eye is no longer considered contagious. People with bacterial pink eye should still take precautions to avoid the spread to pink eye.

Viral pink eye may last longer than pink eye. Viral pink eye may last two to four weeks. The symptoms tend to lessen in three to five days, but the symptoms may linger much longer than that. Antibiotics will not help viral pink eye. In severe cases or viral pink eye caused by a herpes virus, an antiviral medication may be given. For most cases of viral pink eye, no medication is prescribed.

Allergic pink eye may vary greatly depending on when the person stops being exposed to the allergen that is causing the condition. Allergic pink eye can be triggered by pollen, mold, smoke, chemicals, or other substances. Allergic pink eye can last for only a few hours if the person is exposed to the allergen for a short time and exposure is stopped. In the case of seasonal allergies, such as pollen and hayfever, the exposure to the allergen may be prolonged. Therefore, the allergic pink eye could last for weeks or even months. Antihistamine medications may help alleviate the symptoms. Over-the-counter eye drops may also help.

Though there is no definite prediction for when a case of pink eye will end, the estimates may help a person understand the condition and how long pink eye lasts in general terms. If symptoms get more severe after a few days of having pink eye symptoms or vision is affected, the person should contact their doctor.