Head Lice Symptoms
Although itching may be a sign of a lice infestation, most often individuals are asymptomatic. Keep in mind that although the only reliable sign of an infestation is the presence of a live louse or nymph (juvenile louse), the presence of nits may be a sign that there is or has been an active infestation.
What are head lice?
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are parasites that can be found on the heads of people. Pediculosis is the term for an infection with head lice. (The head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, is different from the pubic louse (Pthirus pubis), which causes pubic hair infections, and the body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis).
Who is at risk for getting head lice?
Anyone who comes in close contact with someone who already has head lice, or even their contaminated clothing and other belongings, is at risk for acquiring head lice. So it is easy to transmit head lice from one person to another. Preschool and elementary-school children (3-11 years of age) and their families are infected most often. Girls contract head lice more often than boys, and women contract more head lice than men.