If Provider Has Pink Eye

[SilverSabre25]

do you close? Since we're like, capable of not rubbing our eyes and smearing it everywhere, and stuff?

[Zoe]

This happened to me last year. I woke up 15 minutes before opening and it was clear I had pink eye. I gave all of my parents the option of leaving their child with me knowing I had pink eye. Of course, ALL of them left their kids with me. None of them caught it. I went to urgent care that evening (since it's the same cost as a regular dr. appt) to get the meds needed.

[originalkat]

I would close if I got pink eye. I would head to the doc to get the meds and be ready to go 24 hrs later.

[TwinKristi]

Wow! Of course they left their kids!!

I would guess it depends on how bad it is. Sometimes you wake up and it's awful but other times you can wash it up and it's clear (but still red) for awhile. Drs don't seem to be calling it "pink eye" as much anymore. One boy I watched had it like 4x/yr because whenever he had an ear infection or sinus junk it would back up into his eye. It wasn't bacterial pink eye except once and she kept him home and gave him at least 24hrs of meds before returning.

[Zoe]

Wow! Of course they left their kids!!

I would guess it depends on how bad it is. Sometimes you wake up and it's awful but other times you can wash it up and it's clear (but still red) for awhile. Drs don't seem to be calling it "pink eye" as much anymore. One boy I watched had it like 4x/yr because whenever he had an ear infection or sinus junk it would back up into his eye. It wasn't bacterial pink eye except once and she kept him home and gave him at least 24hrs of meds before returning.

No mine didn't actually hurt or itch but it was definitely pink eye. I didn't think about if it affected you like that. OP, if it's bugging you to a point that it would affect your job then I'd close. But if not, then I'd just notify the parents of it and leave it up to them.

[SilverSabre25]

Well, I'm not even positive I have it but it seems likely. I sent 10.5 mo home with it today and shortly after, my eyes started itching. And they feel a bit watery. And are starting to hurt....like eyestrain hurt. Every now and then I blink and think they are starting to feel goopy.

So I don't know...my doc closed or I'd see if they could just call in a script for me. I don't want to have to go to the minute clinic if I don't have to, since I doubt they can dx yet....bah.

[Play Care]

I had pink eye once. My sub covered, I went and got meds and I did not close. No one else got it. I think I got it from an old eyeliner To me that is not a reason to close for illness as I felt fine and knew I would not give it to the kids. I'd rather use those sick days for when I'm really sick.

[craftymissbeth]

According to our regs in Kansas, children AND staff working with children have to be excluded for pink eye for 24 hours after the start of treatment. In all honesty, though I'd have a hard time complying with this for myself, but would just to CYA.

http://www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/application_packets_and_forms/child_care/CCL_037_Guidelines_for_Exclusion.pdf

[AnneCordelia]

Here in Ontario Canada we can get OTC eye drops by polysporin. Do you have that avilable in the US?

[Cradle2crayons]

I wouldn't close for pink eye. They don't even exclude in schools for it here. No biggie.

[Play Care]

According to our regs in Kansas, children AND staff working with children have to be excluded for pink eye for 24 hours after the start of treatment. In all honesty, though I'd have a hard time complying with this for myself, but would just to CYA.

http://www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/applicat..._Exclusion.pdf

If we had the reg that would be awesome.

[Oats&Ivy]

I think it would really depend on a few things. First off would be if I was in pain. If I was, I'd close and go to the doctor immediately. If I was not, I would call them and ask if there was any way possible they could bring them in late, after I went to urgent care and got the meds. If they absolutely could not do that, then I would stay open. I am a people pleaser by nature, I guess thats good and bad in this profession.

[SilverSabre25]

Thanks for the input ladies I woke up this morning and dont' seem to have it....or if I do, it isn't bad.

[Laurel]

do you close? Since we're like, capable of not rubbing our eyes and smearing it everywhere, and stuff?

I had it once and gave the parents the option of bringing their child. One didn't but all the rest did. No one got it.

Laurel

[TwinKristi]

Thanks for the input ladies I woke up this morning and dont' seem to have it....or if I do, it isn't bad.

Sometimes our mind plays tricks on us when we know/think we've been exposed! It's like how I always get itchy when people talk about lice, spiders or creepy-crawlies!