How are lice transmitted to humans? - briefly
Transmission to people occurs primarily through direct «head‑to‑head contact» and, less commonly, by sharing personal items such as combs, hats, or bedding. infestations spread rapidly in close‑quarters environments like schools or households.
How are lice transmitted to humans? - in detail
Lice reach human hosts primarily through direct contact with an infested individual or contaminated personal items. The insects cannot fly or jump; they crawl from one scalp, body surface, or clothing to another.
• Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) spread when hair brushes, combs, hats, helmets, or pillows are shared. Children in close‑quarter settings, such as schools or day‑care centers, experience the highest transmission rates because frequent head‑to‑head contact occurs during play.
• Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) are transferred via clothing or bedding that has become infested. When an individual wears contaminated garments, the lice move to the skin to feed, then return to the fabric to lay eggs. Overcrowded living conditions, limited laundry facilities, and poor hygiene increase the risk.
• Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis) are transmitted mainly through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. Occasionally, they can be acquired from shared towels, bedding, or clothing that have come into contact with the genital area, though this is less common.
Transmission requires a viable louse or its egg (nit) to move to a new host within a short period. Adult lice survive off the human body for only a few hours, while nits can remain viable for up to a week if environmental conditions are favorable. Prompt removal of infested items—washing at ≥ 60 °C, dry‑cleaning, or sealing in plastic bags for two weeks—interrupts the life cycle and prevents further spread.