Contagious: Head lice

About contagion: Contagion and contagiousness refers to how easily the spread of Head lice is possible from one person to another. Other words for contagion include "infection", "infectiousness", "transmission" or "transmissability". Contagiousness has nothing to do with genetics or inheriting diseases from parents. For an overview of contagion, see Introduction to Contagion.

Contagion summary: Spread by direct contact with hair or objects such as hats, combs, headphones, etc.

Contagiousness properties of Head lice:
  Contagious overall?: Yes
  Contagious by physical contact (non-sexual)?: Yes
  Contagious from bedding?: Yes
  Contagious from clothing?: Yes
  Contagious from towels?: Yes

Contagion discussion: How did my child get head lice? ¹

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Head Lice Infestation: DPD

Last revision: Oct 28, 2003

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