Is Pink Eye an STD?
Most pink eye (conjunctivitis) has nothing to do with STDs — it's far more commonly viral or a different type of bacterial infection, or an allergic reaction. But chlamydia and gonorrhea can both cause a specific, STD-related version worth knowing about.
What ordinary pink eye looks like
Viral conjunctivitis, the most common type overall, causes redness, watery discharge, and often spreads easily between people (through hand-to-eye contact, shared items) — frequently accompanying a cold. Bacterial conjunctivitis unrelated to an STD causes thicker, often yellow or green discharge, and responds to standard antibiotic eye drops.
What points toward an STD-related cause
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can both cause conjunctivitis, typically through hand-to-eye contact after touching infected genital fluids, rather than any direct sexual contact with the eye. This type doesn't typically respond to standard antibiotic eye drops, since those aren't effective against chlamydia or gonorrhea specifically — which is a useful clue if a "normal" pink eye treatment isn't working. It's worth mentioning any recent STD exposure to a doctor if conjunctivitis isn't clearing up as expected.
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