Head Lice

EXPOSURE NOTICE TO PARENTS

DATE OF EXPOSURE:  

Your child has been exposed to Head Lice.  A description of this illness is attached.  If your child develops any of the signs and symptoms below, please consult your child’s doctor and notify the school’s main office.

Our Illness Policy excludes children from school unless appropriate treatment has been started. Properly treated cases are no longer infectious.

Methods of control of the spread of head lice include the following:  Check the other family members and treat if necessary.  The affected person’s bedding, towels, clothing, hats, combs, brushes, barrettes, etc. should be washed in hot water on the day of treatment.  Items that cannot be washed can be put into a hot dryer for 30 minutes or ironed or left sealed in a plastic bag for at least two weeks.  Mattresses, carpets and upholstery should be vacuumed thoroughly.

Over the counter lice shampoos are available, or you should contact your physician.  Read the label directions carefully.  DO NOT OVERTREAT children with insecticide shampoos.  Other “special” shampoos (i.e. dandruff shampoos) are not effective for head lice treatment.  It is advisable to repeat the treatment 8 to 11 days after the initial treatment in order to kill any hatching eggs.

CAUSATIVE AGENT:

Lice are tiny grayish-white, wingless insects.  Their eggs (nits) are laid on the hair shaft next to the scalp with glue-like tenacity.  Eggs found at a distance greater than1/2 inch from the scalp are not likely to contain a live insect.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Itching

INCUBATION PERIOD:

Initial infestation:  lice are present, but itching may be delayed 1 to 3 weeks.  

Subsequent infestation:  1 to 2 days for itching

PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY:

As long as lice are present.

METHOD OF TRANSMISSION:

Head lice in human beings are spread most commonly by close direct contact with an infested individual.  Contaminated objects also transmit head lice (hats, combs, towels, bedding, rugs, clothing).