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One of the more persistent questions on the internet is, “Can you get pink eye from a fart?” This is a serious question that has tainted the name of the good ’ol fart, a natural and necessary bodily function. It must be avenged!
Seriously, though … Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an eye inflammation that can be contagious. There are several causes of conjunctivitis, such as bacteria, viruses, or allergens. Fortunately, being nearby when someone lets one rip isn’t one of them.
It’s time to demystify pink eye!
Pink Eye: An Intimate Look
Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. The cause can be viral, bacterial, or allergenic, and it’s important to note that conjunctivitis is not the same as a cold.
Here are a few symptoms to watch out for:
- Redness: The whites of your eyes turn pink or red, hence the name “pink eye.”
- Itching: Your eyes can get really itchy.
- Discharge: In some cases, there can be a watery pus-like discharge.
- Crusting: Discharges solidify into crusts, especially when you wake in the mornings.
- Swollen Eyelids: Your eyelids can swell up.
The good thing about conjunctivitis is that it clears up on its own most of the time. It can last anywhere from just a couple of days to two weeks.
How Pink Eye Spreads (And How It Doesn’t)
Most cases of pink eye are viral and highly contagious. They spread through the liquid discharge of an infected eye. You can get it through direct and indirect contact. Airborne transmission is possible but less common.
- Direct Contact: Touching your eye after touching an infected person’s eye, you can get infected. Or, if the infected person touches their eye and then they touch something else, and then you touch that something else and then touch your eye, you can get infected.
- Indirect Contact: If an infected person uses a towel and then you use that same towel, you can get conjunctivitis. Be wary of high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, and public tables and chairs.
- Airborne Transmission: Some forms of viral pink eye spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, but this is uncommon.
Where Do Farts Fit Into All of This?
Flatulence, especially the smelly kind, is the airborne transmission of expelled gases. Fortunately, it comes from your digestive system, which is quite far from your eyes.
While these gases can cause minor confusion (and often result in temporary facial contortions), they don’t contain viruses or bacteria that can cause pink eye. So, can you get pink eye from a fart? Nope!
Types of Pink Eye
Let’s understand the different kinds of pink eye and how you can get them:
Viral and Bacterial Conjunctivitis
The adenovirus is the most common viral cause of pink eye. Other viral causes include the herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus.
Bacterial pink eye can occur when you wear another person’s contacts or lenses that aren’t properly cleaned.
When you get these types of conjunctivitis, you can also experience colds and sore throats, among other respiratory infection symptoms.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is a response to an allergy-causing substance, such as pollen. When you get this type of pink eye, you get it in both eyes.
When exposed to allergens, your body produces immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody. IgE triggers the release of inflammatory substances, such as histamine, from the mucous lining of your eyes and airways. This then causes your allergic reaction, which can include pink eye.
The good thing is that this type of conjunctivitis is not contagious.
What To Do About Pink Eye
Pink eye generally clears up on its own, so you might not need to book an appointment with your eye doctor. However, in severe cases, you can experience blurred vision, sensitivity to light, fever, and severe pain. When in doubt, consult an eye care professional.
Severe or Spread of Infection
In rare cases, viral pink eye can lead to complications, such as corneal ulcers or keratitis. If your conjunctivitis develops into this, you might lose your vision. On the other hand, untreated bacterial pink eye can spread to different parts of the body. This can lead to more severe infections.
Chronic Pink Eye
If your pink eye is exceptionally troublesome or does not go away after two weeks, please see a doctor. When in doubt, always consult a medical professional.
Constantly dealing with conjunctivitis will lower the quality of your life. Imagine having to suffer from ongoing eye redness, irritation, and discomfort! This also means you’ll need to assess your surroundings, hygiene, and general way of life. Consult with your doctor about your condition.
Vision Problems
If left untreated, persistent conjunctivitis can lead to vision problems, including permanent vision loss. This happens when the infection affects the cornea and results in scarring. Consult your doctor if your pink eye results in compromised vision.
Severe Allergic Reactions
Conjunctivitis caused by allergens can lead to other reactions (on top of the pink eye). You must see your doctor if you experience swelling, inflammation, and compromised breathing.
Complications from Underlying Conditions.
In rare cases, pink eye can be a symptom of a more severe underlying condition, such as autoimmune diseases. If this is the case, you must see your doctor to treat your conjunctivitis immediately.
Preventing Pink Eye
Good hygiene is key to staying pink-eye free. Wash your hands correctly (with soap and water while singing Happy Birthday) and frequently. Avoid touching your eyes. Don’t share items that have touched your eyes, including towels and makeup.
If you have pink eye, it’s a good idea to self-isolate and steer clear of people to prevent the condition from spreading.
There’s no need to leave the room when someone farts, as far as catching conjunctivitis is concerned. Can you get pink eye from a fart? No. Stop and smell the roses. You’re safe from the pink eye!
