In a Health in Brief column, Rhode Island's Providence Journal (10/5) reported that, according to Parents magazine, children should not go to school when they have signs of conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Eyes "stuck shut, bright red, and oozing yellow or green discharge" indicate the "highly contagious pinkeye."

Children with conjunctivitis "should stay home until" they have "been on antibiotics for 24 hours," or until "the goopiness dries up."

Children may be sent to school, however, if the "white part of the eye is only slightly pink, and the discharge is clear and watery, because it's probably a school-safe allergy."