Table Treatment of Conjunctivitis Prevention of spread Treatment of symptoms Antibiotics if cause is bacterial Topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers if cause is allergic Clinicians must take the following steps to avoid transmitting conjunctivitis, which is most often highly contagious and spread by droplets, fomites, and hand-to-eye inoculation: Use hand sanitizer or wash their hands properly (fully lather hands, scrub hands for at least 20 seconds, rinse well, and turn off the water using a paper towel) Disinfect equipment after examining patients Patients should do the following: Use hand sanitizer and / or wash their hands thoroughly after touching their eyes or nasal secretions Avoid touching the noninfected eye after touching the infected eye Avoid sharing towels or pillows Avoid swimming in pools Eyes should be kept free of discharge and should not be patched.