How are people infected with pubic lice? - briefly
Pubic lice spread mainly through direct sexual contact, attaching to coarse body hair during vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. Transmission can also occur via contaminated bedding, towels, or clothing, though such cases are uncommon.
How are people infected with pubic lice? - in detail
Pubic lice, also known as Pthirus pubis, spread primarily through close skin‑to‑skin contact. The most common route is sexual intercourse, where the insects cling to coarse hair in the genital region and transfer directly between partners. Transmission can also occur during non‑sexual intimate contact, such as sharing a bed, couch, or other surfaces that support hair, allowing lice to crawl from one host to another.
Additional pathways include:
- Contact with contaminated clothing, towels, or bedding that have not been laundered at temperatures above 50 °C.
- Sharing personal items that touch pubic hair, for example, razors or grooming tools.
- Rarely, transmission through infested hair in other body areas (e.g., chest, armpits, facial hair) when close contact occurs.
The life cycle of the parasite facilitates spread. Adult females lay eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts; nits hatch in 6–10 days, producing nymphs that mature in another 9–12 days. During this period, lice remain mobile and can move to a new host if the host’s clothing or bedding is transferred.
Risk factors increase with behaviors that promote prolonged, close contact, including:
- High‑frequency sexual activity with multiple partners.
- Use of communal sleeping arrangements, such as dormitories or shelters.
- Inadequate hygiene practices, particularly infrequent washing of garments and linens at low temperatures.
Preventive measures focus on minimizing direct contact with infested individuals, laundering potentially contaminated items at high temperatures, and avoiding the sharing of personal grooming equipment. Early detection and treatment with topical pediculicides interrupt the transmission cycle and reduce the likelihood of spread to others.