What’s the most common cause of conjunctivitis? How do you treat it?

Viral conjunctivitis, usually caused by adenovirus, is the most common cause of pink eye in the adult. Adenovirus also causes cold symptoms (rhinovirus actually causes the majority of colds) and these patients will often describe concurrent respiratory illness. You treat these patients supportively with cool compresses, Tylenol, and chicken soup. Warn the patient that they are contagious and encourage them to wash their hands, don’t share towels, and throw out their makeup.READ MORE