EEEK! Pinkeye this AM--should I go to Mass?

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odile53

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I was online a little earlier, just after I woke up, and felt my eye getting itchy and weepy. I looked in the mirror, and it’s as red as a stoplight, and (not to gross anyone out here,) draining. I have some antibiotic prescription eye drops at home, and put those in. But I know that pinkeye can be highly contagious.

Other than that symptom, I feel fine. But should I try to find a 5 PM Mass around here today, and in charity, stay home this morning until I can get a couple more doses of the eye drops in? I’d hate to think of a family of kids catching this!
 
If it was me, I would likely go but avoid handshaking or receiving the precious blood.
 
Okay, thanks. I’m going, but not touching anything including holy water or a missalette. Taking some hand gel with me too for just before communion. And if a couple of doses of the antibiotic drops don’t start doing something, the next stop after Mass is urgent care!

I really am being honest here, my eye looks (and feels) awful, and I wouldn’t want anyone to catch this!
 
If it were me, I’d skip it and go to urgent care instead. Once you are under treatment you can make up for today. Being ill or having a contagious disease is a valid excuse, I think, and you might transfer it to someone by accident. Pinkeye is awful indeed.

You’re going to be distracted by your painful eye anyway. Edited to add that if it’s from a virus, those drops aren’t going to help at all.
 
Why would you need the hand gel for communion? Just have the host administered to you on your tongue and keep your hands folded.
 
You are contagious until you have used an antibiotic for 24 hours and most kids are banned from school for a day if they have it. Also when I had pinkeye as an adult I had trouble reading and felt awful. Why don’t you go to a clinic first and see what the nurse or doctor thinks? If they say it is okay maybe you can go to an evening Mass?
 
I was just googling churches in a couple of adjacent towns, and there is one with a 6:30 PM Sunday Mass. So I think you’re right, folks. Urgent care first, and get this under control.

PS–I’d use hand gel before communion because the parish I usually go to is N.O. I wouldn’t want whichever person who is distributing communion to contaminate themselves by touching my hand!

Okay, off to the urgent care facility!
 
MSSheBear said:
You are contagious until you have used an antibiotic for 24 hours and most kids are banned from school for a day if they have it. Also when I had pinkeye as an adult I had trouble reading and felt awful. Why don’t you go to a clinic first and see what the nurse or doctor thinks? If they say it is okay maybe you can go to an evening Mass?
Click to expand...
I LIke this better than my answer.

For the one who suggested receiving on the tongue there is risk that way for anyone later in the line. There is always a chance of saliva getting on the hand of the minister. It isn’t just a matter of “being trained” sometimes it drips from the top part of the mouth or the person’s head may move that fraction of an inch. Our hands are the main way we normally spread germs but that is because they may have come in contact with our own saliva , eyes or nose. Normally we don’t have contact with other people’s mouths, eyes or noses.
 
This is a personal judgment call. It sounds like your decision is fine.

My cases of pink eye have been pretty mild. So I’d usually go and just avoid touching people. BUT it sounds like yours is more extreme since you noted a lot of discharge. I think that going to the ER is fine, and do what the doctors tell you. Try to make mass if they think its okay, otherwise spend an hour in prayer by yourself. Read the scriptures readings that are going to be said today, etc and you’ll be fine.

Hope you feel better! I’ll say a prayer for you!
 
Well, I called urgent care to find out how much of a wait there was. When I spoke to the nurse, and told her my symptoms, she told me to stay home. FROM URGENT CARE! Then I spoke with the doctor, who called in a different eye drop prescription for me. I guess they didn’t want anyone in the waiting room exposed, either! Just picked up the eye drops from the pharmacy, the doctor told me that I continue to be contagious for twenty four hours after starting the antibiotics So I’m just following doctor’s orders here, staying put, and washing all my linens in hot water with bleach. I felt a little stupid about this, since I don’t feel sick.

The diocese broadcasts Mass on the local public broadcasting service. I know it’s not the same as actually attending Mass (kind of like the difference between going to a dinner and watching a bunch of people eating dinner on TV,) but I guess it will have to do for today. Bummer.

Thanks everyone for the good advice.
 
odile53 said:
Well, I called urgent care to find out how much of a wait there was. When I spoke to the nurse, and told her my symptoms, she told me to stay home. FROM URGENT CARE! Then I spoke with the doctor, who called in a different eye drop prescription for me. I guess they didn’t want anyone in the waiting room exposed, either! Just picked up the eye drops from the pharmacy, the doctor told me that I continue to be contagious for twenty four hours after starting the antibiotics So I’m just following doctor’s orders here, staying put, and washing all my linens in hot water with bleach. I felt a little stupid about this, since I don’t feel sick.

The diocese broadcasts Mass on the local public broadcasting service. I know it’s not the same as actually attending Mass (kind of like the difference between going to a dinner and watching a bunch of people eating dinner on TV,) but I guess it will have to do for today. Bummer.

Thanks everyone for the good advice.
Click to expand...
If a DOCTOR tells you to stay home, then do so! I don’t want your germs, and neither does anyone else! ;);)😉
 
marytk said:
I LIke this better than my answer.

For the one who suggested receiving on the tongue there is risk that way for anyone later in the line. There is always a chance of saliva getting on the hand of the minister. It isn’t just a matter of “being trained” sometimes it drips from the top part of the mouth or the person’s head may move that fraction of an inch. Our hands are the main way we normally spread germs but that is because they may have come in contact with our own saliva , eyes or nose. Normally we don’t have contact with other people’s mouths, eyes or noses.
Click to expand...
Or the fact that tiny droplets that can contain the virus can get into the hands of the minister.
 
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