Is a bacterial pink eye contagious?

Yes, pink eye from both virus and bacteria are contagious. Hand washing is essential if you want to prevent transmitting the infection to others. If your infection is due to bacteria, then you will need antibiotic drops for a few days. Children hate eye drops and thus you may need to get an ointment to treat the bacterial pink eye. The medications do work fast and you can expect clearing of the pink eyes in 2-3 days. For viral pink eye, just use a warm compress, maintain good eye hygiene and wash your hands frequently