Can You Have Pink Eye and a Sore Throat?

Though a sore throat isn’t always a hallmark of pink eye, the two can sometimes go together. Here’s what it means when conjunctivitis is accompanied by a sore throat.

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the moist, transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the eyeball. If you’ve ever had pink eye, you may know its symptoms, which can include:

• red, swollen eyes
• itching in the eyes
• yellow or milky discharge from one or both eyes
• crusting of the eyes, especially after sleep
• a feeling of grittiness in the eyes
• excessive tearing

In some cases, viruses and bacteria that cause pink eye can create issues not only in the eyes but in the throat as well. When your case of conjunctivitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, your body may respond with cold-like symptoms, including a swollen, painful throat.

If you’re experiencing pink eye and a sore throat, you may have eye symptoms like the ones listed above plus a feeling of rawness, scratchiness, dryness, or pain in the back of your throat.

You might also experience other cold-like symptoms, such as: