From the Guidelines
Yes, you can get conjunctivitis from dogs, though it's not common, and the risk can be significantly reduced by maintaining good hygiene practices, such as handwashing after pet contact, as emphasized by 1 and 1. Bacterial or viral conjunctivitis can potentially be transmitted from dogs to humans through direct contact with an infected dog's eye discharge or by touching your eyes after handling an infected dog. If your dog has red, swollen eyes with discharge, avoid touching their face and wash your hands thoroughly after interacting with them. If you develop symptoms like redness, itching, or discharge in your eyes after contact with an infected dog, see a healthcare provider. Treatment typically involves antibiotic eye drops like ciprofloxacin or erythromycin for bacterial infections, applied 1-2 drops every 4-6 hours for 7-10 days. Some key points to consider include:
- The importance of hand hygiene in preventing disease transmission, as highlighted by 1
- The potential for zoonotic transmission of conjunctivitis from dogs to humans
- The need for prompt medical attention if symptoms of conjunctivitis develop after contact with an infected dog While zoonotic transmission of conjunctivitis is possible, maintaining good hygiene practices significantly reduces this risk, and most cases of conjunctivitis in humans come from other sources like allergies or human-to-human transmission, as suggested by the general principles outlined in 1 and 1.
From the Research
Can You Get Conjunctivitis from Dogs
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that conjunctivitis can be transmitted from dogs to humans 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The studies focus on the treatment of viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, as well as the effectiveness of antibiotics in managing the condition 2, 3, 4.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis can be caused by various bacterial pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis 5.
- While the studies do not address the transmission of conjunctivitis from dogs to humans, they do provide information on the management and treatment of the condition in humans 2, 3, 4, 5.
- It is essential to note that conjunctivitis can be caused by various factors, including viral and bacterial infections, and proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications and promote recovery 2, 3, 4, 5.