Pediculosis
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Basics
Description
- Infestation by organisms that live in close association with host
- Bites are painless
- Signs and symptoms result from host response to saliva and anticoagulant injected during feeding
- Transmitted by direct contact and fomites (inanimate objects)
- Head lice are transmitted by head-to-head contact:
- Combs
- Pillows
- Hats
- Head lice are more common in children and females
- Pubic lice are transmitted by sexual contact
- Obligate human parasites cannot survive away from hosts >7–10 d
Etiology
Infestation by:- Pediculus capitis (head louse):
- Most common
- All socioeconomic groups
- Pediculus corporis (body louse):
- Associated with poverty, poor hygiene, and overcrowding
- Live in clothing and transfer to human host for feeding
- Related to bed bugs
- Phthirus pubis (pubic or crab louse)
Pediatric Considerations
Pubic lice may also indicate sexual abuse in children
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Basics
Description
- Infestation by organisms that live in close association with host
- Bites are painless
- Signs and symptoms result from host response to saliva and anticoagulant injected during feeding
- Transmitted by direct contact and fomites (inanimate objects)
- Head lice are transmitted by head-to-head contact:
- Combs
- Pillows
- Hats
- Head lice are more common in children and females
- Pubic lice are transmitted by sexual contact
- Obligate human parasites cannot survive away from hosts >7–10 d
Etiology
Infestation by:- Pediculus capitis (head louse):
- Most common
- All socioeconomic groups
- Pediculus corporis (body louse):
- Associated with poverty, poor hygiene, and overcrowding
- Live in clothing and transfer to human host for feeding
- Related to bed bugs
- Phthirus pubis (pubic or crab louse)
Pediatric Considerations
Pubic lice may also indicate sexual abuse in children
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