Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye,” is a very common eye infection, especially in children under five. In Grand Rapids, MI, pediatricians, family doctors, and local urgent care clinics regularly see cases throughout the year, with viral conjunctivitis often increasing during cold and flu season.

Children with conjunctivitis should be kept home from school, daycare, or preschool in Grand Rapids until the discharge from their eyes has stopped. This helps prevent spreading the infection to classmates, teachers, and caregivers.

What Is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva — the clear membrane that lines the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It can be:

  • Viral
  • Bacterial
  • Allergic
  • Irritant-related (e.g., chemicals, smoke, chlorine)

In West Michigan, viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are especially common in group settings like schools, daycare centers, and sports programs.

How Common Is Conjunctivitis in Children?

The incidence of conjunctivitis is highest in children under age five and generally decreases with age. In Grand Rapids, parents often encounter pink eye in:

  • Daycare centers and preschools
  • Elementary schools in the Grand Rapids Public Schools system and surrounding districts
  • Group activities such as church nurseries, sports teams, and after-school programs

Because it spreads so easily through close contact, one case in a classroom or daycare can quickly lead to several more if precautions are not taken.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours after exposure and can last from two days to three weeks, depending on the cause and treatment.

Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Eye irritation and redness (white of the eye looks pink or red)
  • Photophobia (sensitivity to light; difficulty looking into bright light or sunlight)
  • Excessive tearing or watery eyes
  • Discharge with pus or mucus (often yellow or green with bacterial conjunctivitis)
  • Crusting of the eyelids, especially after sleep
  • Swelling of the eyelids
  • Itching or burning sensation (more common with allergic conjunctivitis)
  • Feeling like “something is in the eye”

You are generally infectious as long as there is discharge from your eye, especially with bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.

How Conjunctivitis Spreads in Grand Rapids

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious, particularly in group environments common in Grand Rapids, such as schools, daycare centers, gyms, and workplaces.

You can develop conjunctivitis if you come into contact with:

  • Contaminated fingers or hands that have touched infected eye discharge
  • Shared objects, such as towels, washcloths, pillowcases, eye makeup, contact lens cases, or gym equipment
  • Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing (more common with viral infections)
  • Discharge from the eyes, nose, or throat of an infected person

Conjunctivitis can also be transmitted:

  • From an infected mother to her baby during vaginal delivery
    Newborns are routinely checked and treated in hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and other birthing centers in the area to prevent serious eye infections.

When to Keep Your Child Home in Grand Rapids

To prevent outbreaks in local schools and childcare centers:

  • Keep your child home from school or daycare if they have:
    • Eye redness plus thick yellow or green discharge
    • Eyes that are stuck shut in the morning
    • Fever, general illness, or difficulty keeping their eyes open
  • They can generally return to school or daycare when:
    • They have been on antibiotic eye drops or ointment for at least 24 hours (for bacterial conjunctivitis), and
    • Discharge has significantly improved or stopped

Local schools and daycare centers in Grand Rapids may have specific policies, so check with your child’s school nurse or administrator.

How Conjunctivitis Is Diagnosed

In most cases, a Grand Rapids healthcare provider can diagnose conjunctivitis based on:

  • A detailed history of symptoms
  • A physical exam of the eye and eyelids

If needed, your doctor may:

  • Take a sample of the eye discharge using a sterile swab
  • Send it to a lab to be examined under a microscope or grown in culture
  • This helps identify the cause (bacterial, viral, or other) and guide treatment, especially in severe, recurrent, or newborn cases.

You can see:

  • Your primary care provider or pediatrician
  • An urgent care clinic (many in Grand Rapids are affiliated with Spectrum Health, Metro Health, or Mercy Health)
  • An eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) if symptoms are severe or not improving

Treatment for Conjunctivitis

Treatment depends on the cause:

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is often treated with:

  • Antibiotic eye drops
  • Antibiotic eye ointment

These medications:

  • Help clear the infection faster
  • Reduce contagiousness
  • Help prevent spreading conjunctivitis to others at home, school, or work

You will typically remain infectious as long as there is discharge from your eye, but this usually improves within a few days of starting antibiotics.

Viral Conjunctivitis

  • Often caused by the same viruses that lead to colds and flu, which are common in West Michigan during fall and winter.
  • Antibiotics do not help viral conjunctivitis.
  • Treatment focuses on:
    • Cool compresses
    • Artificial tears
    • Good hygiene
  • It usually clears on its own within 1–3 weeks.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Common in the spring and summer in Michigan when pollen counts rise.

  • Treated with:
    • Allergy eye drops
    • Oral antihistamines
    • Avoiding triggers when possible

General Home Care

For all types of conjunctivitis:

  • Gently clean eyelids with a clean, damp cloth to remove crusting
  • Wash hands frequently
  • Avoid:
    • Sharing towels, washcloths, eye makeup, or pillowcases
    • Wearing contact lenses until cleared by your provider

Preventing the Spread of Conjunctivitis in Grand Rapids

To protect your family and community:

  • Wash hands often, especially after touching your face or eyes
  • Teach children not to rub or touch their eyes
  • Use separate towels and washcloths for each family member
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, counters, phones, tablets)
  • Replace or thoroughly clean:
    • Eye makeup
    • Contact lens cases
    • Pillowcases, if heavily soiled

These steps are especially important during the cold and flu season in Grand Rapids, when viral infections are more common.

When to Seek Medical Help in Grand Rapids, MI

Contact a healthcare provider right away if you or your child has:

  • Severe eye pain
  • Vision changes (blurred vision, seeing halos, loss of vision)
  • Intense light sensitivity (photophobia) that is worsening
  • Severe swelling around the eye
  • Symptoms that do not improve within a few days
  • Conjunctivitis in a newborn

Local Resources and Providers

You can get help from:

  • Your GP / primary care doctor or pediatrician
  • Grand Rapids urgent care clinics (many operated by Corewell Health, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and Trinity Health Grand Rapids)
  • Eye specialists (ophthalmologists and optometrists) throughout the Grand Rapids area
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for information on communicable disease prevention and school/daycare guidelines

If you suspect an emergency (sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or trauma), go to the nearest emergency department, such as:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Other local hospital emergency rooms in the Grand Rapids metro area

Key Points About Conjunctivitis in Grand Rapids

  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a common infection, especially in children under five.
  • Keeping children with conjunctivitis home from school or daycare until eye discharge has stopped helps prevent the spread of infection.
  • Symptoms usually develop within 24–72 hours of infection and can last from two days to three weeks.
  • You remain infectious as long as there is discharge from your eye, particularly with bacterial and viral conjunctivitis.
  • Antibiotic eye drops or ointment are often needed for bacterial conjunctivitis to treat the infection and reduce contagiousness.
  • Grand Rapids residents have access to high-quality eye care through Spectrum Health/Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and public health resources like the Kent County Health Department.

If you or your child develops symptoms of conjunctivitis in Grand Rapids, contact a local healthcare provider promptly for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.