conjunctivitis
the complete guide to the childcare exclusion period for conjunctivitis in Australia — how long to keep your child home, symptoms to watch for, and when they can return.
exclusion period
until discharge from the eyes has stopped, unless a doctor has diagnosed non-infectious conjunctivitis
symptoms
- •red or pink eyes
- •watery or sticky discharge from the eyes
- •swollen eyelids
- •itchy or gritty feeling in the eyes
- •crusting around eyelids (especially in the morning)
incubation period
1-3 days (bacterial); 1-12 days (viral)
contagious period
while there is discharge from the eyes. bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious until treated for 24 hours.
notes for parents
conjunctivitis can be viral, bacterial, or allergic. only viral and bacterial forms are contagious. if your doctor confirms allergic conjunctivitis, no exclusion is needed.
view all exclusion periods
the complete illness-by-illness guide
this guide is for informational purposes only. exclusion periods are based on the NHMRC's Staying Healthy guidelines and were accurate at the time of writing. always consult your child's GP or childcare centre for specific advice. mini mode is not a medical service and is not affiliated with any government department.