Going to work with pink eye?

Mouseygail · November 2011

So DS had bacterial pink eye(gunky) last weekend. Got drops, it cleared up. I seem to have viral pinkeye (red eye) now. My problem is that I miiight have one PTO day left. Not sure about our company policy on unpaid. It's a horrible thing to go to work tomorrow, even if I'm super careful, don't touch anything, and don't leave my desk, right? I wouldn't hesitate, but DS has had a fever all weekend and I need to get him into a doc again too. Should I just haul us both around to docs tomorrow? Do I even need to see a doc myself? Sorry this is so rambling... I'm frustrated

charmcitygirl · November 2011

Ugh! That sucks! I've had pink eye as an adult and its just crappy! But I hate to say that you really need to get some drops for your eyes. Pink eye is highly contagious and you wouldn't want to keep giving it to yourself by getting it all over your office!

I know it really sucks, but you should get to the doc tomorrow!

Mouseygail · November 2011

charmcitygirl:
Ugh! That sucks! I've had pink eye as an adult and its just crappy! But I hate to say that you really need to get some drops for your eyes. Pink eye is highly contagious and you wouldn't want to keep giving it to yourself by getting it all over your office!
I know it really sucks, but you should get to the doc tomorrow!

. That's what I thought, but most of DR Google said that nothing can help viral and people should just avoid school/daycare/work if at all possible. Did you get drops? Which kind did you have? Ugh!!!

AlissaCell701 · November 2011

charmcitygirl:
Ugh! That sucks! I've had pink eye as an adult and its just crappy! But I hate to say that you really need to get some drops for your eyes. Pink eye is highly contagious and you wouldn't want to keep giving it to yourself by getting it all over your office!
I know it really sucks, but you should get to the doc tomorrow!

I got it wicked bad one year teaching pre school summer camp. It was horrible.. My eyes burned and I really couldn't see. It's also super super contagious.. I have to be honest that if I was your co worker an you showed up w it I would be pissed.. Sorry!! But it's just so contagious.. And worth taking a day off IMOP.. Hope you feel better soon!

leslie&brian · November 2011

I'm a nurse, so I'm obviously in close contact with others. Our policy is you have to take off until you've been on antibiotics x 24 hours. I got it last summer, and had to take off because of it. It sucked because I felt fine, but still had to use a PTO day, and they are hard to come by especially with a little one.

Do you wear contacts?

ALY1981 · November 2011

No work for you missy--I'd go straight to the doctor. Feel better!!!

MrsRyan61804 · November 2011

Ugh pink eye stinks! I have had pink eye a bunch of times, the joy of working in a dc. Usually once I have a dose or two of drops I feel much better and have heard that it is no longer contagious. That may just be my boss wanting me to come to work though lol. I'm sure you are pretty uncomfortable so how productive will you really be? I would say take the day get yourselves to the dr.

Feel better mama!!

charmcitygirl · November 2011

I did get drops, but I don't remember what kind. Also, Leslie is right about contacts. If you have them, they need to be tossed and you should wear glasses until your eyes are completely healed. Also you should throw away eye makeup too. So sorry! It sucks!

Mouseygail · November 2011

leslie&brian:
I'm a nurse, so I'm obviously in close contact with others. Our policy is you have to take off until you've been on antibiotics x 24 hours. I got it last summer, and had to take off because of it. It sucked because I felt fine, but still had to use a PTO day, and they are hard to come by especially with a little one.
Do you wear contacts?

. Yep, I wear contacts. Already threw them out. Next up will be all my eye makeup

. Thanks

. Ok, a day off it is... Likely with my little sucky. Man, I hope he doesn't get it too! Thanks ladies!

leslie&brian · November 2011

I also wear contacts, and when I had pink eye, the doctor did a special dye test because of it. I had to wear my glasses for a week, until I knew that the infection had fully cleared up.

Mouseygail · November 2011

leslie&brian:
I also wear contacts, and when I had pink eye, the doctor did a special dye test because of it. I had to wear my glasses for a week, until I knew that the infection had fully cleared up.

ugh! A week?! I HATE my glasses! Thanks for the heads up!

PhillySue · November 2011

Ok I will be the rebel. I agree you should get drops from your doc but I would go to work. Wash your hands, don't rub your eyes etc. I dont think it is worth a day off. Personally I have had pink eye (and I wear contactss) and so has Katie and while it is a pain I dont see it as a huge deal. Daycare actually lets them back as soon as they are on drops. As far as contacts. I dont think I waited a week to wear my contacts, maybe 4 or 5 days. I HATE wearing glasses.

Yellow_Daisy · November 2011

Please don't go to work. Angry wouldn't even begin to describe what I would feel if a coworker came to work with pink eye or any other contagious illness. As it is people come to work all the time sick because they think their work is more important that other people's health. I've filed HR complaints about people coming to work sick and they have been sent home. I think in general people (not all, but most people) don't really think about the other people they work with. I have a compromised immune system so every time someone comes to work with something contagious I'm pretty much guaranteed to get sick, it's gotten to the point where no one is allowed in my office and I have to lysol our teaming table and chairs every day, it sucks, but I have to protect myself from the carelessness of others. I have another coworker in the same position who has to take unpaid leave all the time because people are constantly getting him sick because he doesn't want to offend anyone and lets them in his office.

LCB34 · November 2011

Yellow_Daisy:
Please don't go to work. Angry wouldn't even begin to describe what I would feel if a coworker came to work with pink eye or any other contagious illness. As it is people come to work all the time sick because they think their work is more important that other people's health. I've filed HR complaints about people coming to work sick and they have been sent home. I think in general people (not all, but most people) don't really think about the other people they work with. I have a compromised immune system so every time someone comes to work with something contagious I'm pretty much guaranteed to get sick, it's gotten to the point where no one is allowed in my office and I have to lysol our teaming table and chairs every day, it sucks, but I have to protect myself from the carelessness of others. I have another coworker in the same position who has to take unpaid leave all the time because people are constantly getting him sick because he doesn't want to offend anyone and lets them in his office.

I would also be extremely angry. I realize our situation is different but it is so aggrevating when Alex has to leave work b/c a co-worker comes in sick. He had to work from home for 3 days b/c one of his co-workers didn't have child care and brought their sick child to the office. WTF?

You don't know what everyone's children are facing and exposing them to something like this could have huge implications.

schmoodle · November 2011

PhillySue:
Ok I will be the rebel. I agree you should get drops from your doc but I would go to work. Wash your hands, don't rub your eyes etc. I dont think it is worth a day off. Personally I have had pink eye (and I wear contactss) and so has Katie and while it is a pain I dont see it as a huge deal. Daycare actually lets them back as soon as they are on drops. As far as contacts. I dont think I waited a week to wear my contacts, maybe 4 or 5 days. I HATE wearing glasses.

Ditto. I had it when Toodle was 6 months old and I worked. I washed my hands constantly, didn't touch my eyes, and no one I came into contact with caught it. I didn't really have a choice though, mine isn't the kind of job with sick days, if there's work to do, I have to do it, and wasn't equipped technologically to work from home with what I had going on at the time.

Coworkers knew and just said to be careful (because they all obviously understand the demands of the job and that it was unrealistic to stay home).

DH had it at the same time and his boss told him to go home, but his job is less demanding and time sensitive.

Smudges*Mom · November 2011

Please, go see the doctor before you go to work with what may be pinkeye.

I had persistent pinkeye years ago, when I was single. I had burned through my sick leave because of it and was to the point where any additional time off would have been leave without pay. I had no savings, if I did not work, I did not get paid and I had bills. My employer allowed me to work off the additional sick time. It sucked, but they could not have me in the office. Looking back, I am thankful they helped me out.

As others have said, toss your contacts and make-up (ouch, that gets expensive!!!). I would also disinfect all that you can. It really does suck, but it beats persistent pinkeye. Oh--and if it does nor clear up, go see your eye doctor, not just your GP.

Good luck!!! I hope both you and your little guy feel better!!

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