On Conjunctivitis
By Karina • Jun 2nd, 2008 • Category: eyesThis site makes it very clear when bacterial conjunctivitis is infectious: http://www.cafcc.org/10conjunc.html
Here’s the gist: Upon being infected by bacteria (usually staphy or strep), it will take 2-3d before symptoms show (e.g. red eye and exudative inflammation). However, already 1-2 days before the symptoms appear, you are highly contagious. You’re no longer contagious (so this site says) within a day of starting on the antibiotic eye-drops.
As for TCM and conjunctivits or keratitis or related eye problems, I myself would just use antibiotics to get rid of the microbial source. Acupuncture may be able to boost your immune system in the fight. Herbs may clear a certain amount of inflammation, but hey, you need to kill the source. Seems that quinolones are the first choice of antibiotics.