RU

Eye by day · 28 days

Adenoviral conjunctivitis

The most common form of viral conjunctivitis. We cover the signs, timelines, how contagious it is and the symptoms that mean you should see an eye doctor right away.

Checked against sources: October 8, 2026Sources: 6Next review: October 8, 2027How we check facts

I / VIICONTAGIO

Exposure

day 1

The virus reaches the lining of the eye or nose from the hands — after contact with a sick person or with surfaces that carry the virus [1]. No symptoms yet.

II / VIIINCUBATIO

Already contagious

day 4

A person is contagious for a few days before symptoms appear. Symptoms usually appear within 14 days of exposure [2]; according to ophthalmologist Maria Kovalevskaya, the incubation period averages 5–7 days.

III / VIICONJUNCTIVA

First eye

day 7

Redness, follicles (tiny bumps on the inner lining of the eyelids), membranes, and pinpoint or spread-out bleeding spots [3].

IV / VIINODUS PRAEAURICULARIS

Lymph node near the eye

day 8

A telltale sign of adenoviral conjunctivitis is swollen, tender lymph nodes near the eye [3].

V / VIIOCULUS ALTER

Second eye

day 11

Adenoviral conjunctivitis typically affects the eyes one after the other, 2–3 days apart — that is how ophthalmologist Maria Kovalevskaya describes it.

VI / VIICORNEA

Cornea

day 16

In some people the inflammation spreads to the cornea: cloudy spots can last for months and reduce sharpness of vision [2]. Sensitivity to light, pain or blurred vision is a reason to see an eye doctor urgently [3].

VII / VIISANATIO

Recovery

day 24

The illness usually lasts 7–21 days and clears up on its own; a person stays contagious for up to about 14 days after symptoms start [2]. Return to daycare, school or work once a doctor says it is OK [4].

In brief

  • Viral conjunctivitis most often takes the form of epidemic adenoviral conjunctivitis [3].
  • Its typical signs are tender, swollen lymph nodes near the eye, follicles and membranes on the eye's lining, and small or large bleeds under the conjunctiva [3].
  • The illness usually lasts 7–21 days and goes away on its own; a person can be contagious from a few days before symptoms start until about 14 days after [2].
  • A person with conjunctivitis is a source of infection: clinical guidelines call for isolation [3].

When to see an eye doctor urgently

Clinical guidelines list symptoms that mean you should see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) urgently [3]:

  • sensitivity to light — it hurts or is uncomfortable to look at light;
  • eye pain;
  • vision has gotten worse or blurry;
  • the color of the iris or the size or shape of the pupil has changed.

A newborn with red eyes should be seen by a doctor right away [4].

Based on the Russian Ministry of Health clinical guidelines “Conjunctivitis” (2024) [3].

What it looks like

Conjunctivitis develops when the virus gets onto the lining of the eye. It occurs as single cases or as outbreaks, when many people get sick at once [3]. The clinical guidelines on respiratory viral infections describe red conjunctiva together with a runny nose and sore throat — the eye form often comes along with a cold [1].

Eye
  • redness
  • follicles — small bumps on the lining of the eyelids
  • membranes on the eye's lining
  • pinpoint or patchy bleeds
Near the eye
  • swollen, tender lymph nodes
Cornea
  • in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis — inflammation and clouding of the cornea that can last for months

In some people the inflammation spreads to the cornea. These changes develop in the first days, can last for months and reduce sharpness of vision [2].

“The incubation period averages five to seven days, although it can range from three to ten days. A characteristic feature is that the eyes are affected one after the other, two to three days apart, which helps in the differential diagnosis.”

Maria Kovalevskaya, MD, DSc, head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University (translated from Russian)
AiF Voronezh, sponsored content (in Russian), January 28, 2026

Timelines are from CDC data on epidemic keratoconjunctivitis outbreaks. The virus can keep shedding for days and weeks after symptoms are gone, which is why outbreaks are hard to stop [2].

How it spreads and how to protect your family

The virus reaches the lining of the eye or nose from the hands — after contact with a sick person or with surfaces that carry the virus [1]. Less often, people get infected through water in a poorly chlorinated pool [5].

Adenovirus is hardy: at room temperature it survives up to 2 weeks and is killed by ultraviolet light and chlorine-based disinfectants [1]. It resists many common antiseptics, and alcohol is not suitable for disinfecting ophthalmic instruments [2].

“It is also important to follow personal hygiene, not to touch your eyes or face after being in public places, to wash your hands more often during the day, and to do regular damp cleaning at home and at work to keep dust from building up”

Ekaterina Serebrennikova, general practitioner at the medtech company Doktor Ryadom (translated from Russian)
Izvestia (in Russian), May 24, 2023

Return to daycare, school or work once a doctor says it's OK [4].

How it's treated

Treatment is prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Russian clinical guidelines provide for topical antiviral and immunostimulating therapy as eye drops; the strength of these recommendations is grade C, the lowest on the scale [3]. The CDC states that there are no specific antiviral drugs against adenovirus and treatment is supportive [2].

Antibiotics don't work against the virus. For an uncomplicated respiratory viral infection with conjunctivitis in the first 10–14 days, clinical guidelines do not recommend them [1].

“The viral nature of the disease rules out antibiotics as the main treatment.”

Maria Kovalevskaya, MD, DSc, head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University (translated from Russian)
AiF Voronezh, sponsored content (in Russian), January 28, 2026

“In most cases, outpatient treatment under an ophthalmologist's supervision is possible.”

Maria Kovalevskaya, MD, DSc, head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University (translated from Russian)
AiF Voronezh, sponsored content (in Russian), January 28, 2026

We don't name drugs or treatment regimens: a doctor chooses them after an examination. This article was checked against the Russian Ministry of Health clinical guidelines “Conjunctivitis” (2024) and on acute respiratory viral infections in children (2026).

Frequently asked questions

How long is adenoviral conjunctivitis contagious?

With epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, a person is contagious from a few days before symptoms start until about 14 days after [2].

How long does adenoviral conjunctivitis last?

Usually 7–21 days [2].

Do I need antibiotic eye drops for adenoviral pink eye?

Antibiotics don't work against the virus. For an uncomplicated respiratory viral infection with conjunctivitis, they are not recommended during the first 10–14 days [6]. Treatment is prescribed by an ophthalmologist.

When should I see an eye doctor urgently?

If there is sensitivity to light, eye pain, worse or blurry vision, or a change in the iris or pupil [3]. A newborn with red eyes should be seen by a doctor right away [4].

Adenovirus in children

Symptoms, timelines and the signs that mean you should call emergency services.

Read

Sources

  1. Russian Ministry of Health, Union of Pediatricians of Russia. Clinical guidelines “Acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI)”, children, ID 25_3, published in the guidelines database on September 2, 2026 (in Russian). Accessed October 8, 2026.
  2. CDC, MMWR. Adenovirus-Associated Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis Outbreaks — Four States, 2008–2010. MMWR 2013;62(32):637–641. Accessed October 8, 2026.
  3. Russian Ministry of Health, Association of Ophthalmologists, Russian Ophthalmological Society. Clinical guidelines “Conjunctivitis”, adults and children, ID 629_2, 2024 (in Russian). Accessed October 8, 2026.
  4. CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). About Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis). Updated April 15, 2024. Accessed October 8, 2026.
  5. CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). About Adenovirus. Updated December 16, 2025. Accessed October 7, 2026.
  6. Russian Ministry of Health. Clinical guidelines “Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) in adults”, ID 724_2, published in the guidelines database on August 4, 2025 (in Russian). Accessed October 9, 2026.

This article was prepared by our editorial team from official sources and does not replace a doctor’s advice. Found an error? Write to us.