Lice Transmission

Pediculus humanus capitis, commonly known as head lice, are highly contagious, and lice infestations can be difficult to eradicate. The transmission of lice is accomplished through close contact or the sharing of personal items. It is a common misunderstanding that lice have the ability to fly or jump.

However, head lice can move rather quickly and have a short life cycle, from egg to fully developed adult in less than one month. Lice are designed with an amazing infectious capability. All lice are wingless, flat, and very small, approximately 2 millimeters. All have three pairs of legs with sharp claws, allowing for a tight grip and feeding off a particular host.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is any circumstance or variable that puts you at a higher risk for the contraction of a certain disease, illness, or condition. There are certain variables and circumstances that put you at a higher risk for the contracting lice including; close contact, age, gender, and living conditions.

Close Contact

The greatest risk factor for the contraction of head lice is close contact with an individual that has head lice. This contact can range from the sharing of hair accessories and products, sharing clothing items, even hanging your coat in such a manner as to be within close contact with another.

Lice are capable of crawling. Lice can move at speeds of up to 3.75 inches per minute! With a few conversion factors, that means that lice can move almost 19 feet in one hour. That is over 450 feet in only one day. That is the length of one and a quarter football fields. Now that is creepy.

Age

Age is also associated with increased risk factors for head lice contraction. Lice are most commonly contracted in small children, particularly preschool and elementary age, ranging usually from ages 3 – 12. This is due to the fact that close contact is made at schools and day care facilities.

Gender

Females typically contract head lice more often than males. This is true for several reasons. Females are more likely to share hair accessories including pony tails, hair brushes and combs, and hats. Women are also more likely to share clothing and hats. Typically, women also have longer hair.

Living Conditions

Living conditions have critical roles in the infestation and contraction of lice. Individuals that share close living quarters, such as nursing home and day care facilities, have a much higher risk for the contraction of head lice. Lice can be contracted through the sharing of any personal items including; clothing, towels, bedding, and stuffed animals.

Lice: Non-Risk Factors

It is a common misunderstanding that only dirty or unclean individuals get lice. This is not true. Personal hygiene actually has very little to do with the actual contraction of lice. Lice do not have preference for a clean individual in comparison to an unclean individual. Both hosts will provide the lice with their requirements for life; warm environment with a food source (blood).

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Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/head-lice/DS00953
http://children.webmd.com/tc/lice-topic-overview
http://children.webmd.com/tc/lice-symptoms