Does conjunctivitis only spread to the eyes?

Conjunctivitis (commonly known as “pink eye”) spreads exclusively from eye to eye and is highly contagious; therefore, affected individuals should promptly seek medical attention and undergo isolation treatment to prevent transmission to others. Conjunctivitis typically begins in one eye; if left untreated, it may gradually spread to the other eye. Thus, prompt and active treatment is essential—otherwise, both eyes may develop symptoms of conjunctivitis. Patients with conjunctivitis must use separate personal items (e.g., towels, washcloths) for facial cleansing, distinct from those used by other family members; sharing such items significantly increases the risk of transmission through direct contact.