Incubation Period of Conjunctivitis After Exposure

Incubation Periods by Pathogen Type

• The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that gonococcal conjunctivitis in neonates manifests within 1-7 days after birth, with later presentation if topical antibiotics were used at birth 1
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that chlamydial (inclusion) conjunctivitis in neonates manifests 5-19 days following birth, and may appear earlier if placental membranes ruptured prior to delivery 2
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) conjunctivitis typically develops 4-7 days after exposure and usually subsides without treatment within 4-7 days unless complications occur, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology 3
• COVID-19 related conjunctivitis usually occurs early in the disease course with symptoms appearing self-limited with variable duration (5-21 days), as reported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1, 5
• Zika virus conjunctivitis symptoms typically last from 3-7 days after infection, as noted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1, 5
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) conjunctivitis is often self-limiting and follows the general viral syndrome, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology 5
• Gonococcal conjunctivitis in adults develops rapidly into severe hyperpurulent conjunctivitis and requires aggressive antibiotic therapy, as stated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1