How are lice primarily transmitted?

Lice are primarily transmitted through personal contact because they are obligate ectoparasites that require close proximity to transfer from one host to another. This often occurs through direct head-to-head contact, which is particularly common among children who frequently interact closely during play, sports, or other social activities.

Lice cannot survive long away from a human host and do not have wings to spread through the air, making airborne transmission unlikely. Likewise, they do not spread via water since they need to cling to hair or skin to feed on blood. While sharing food may facilitate the transfer of other organisms or pathogens, it does not play a role in the transmission of lice since they do not jump or fly to reach a new host. Understanding the primary mode of transmission of lice is crucial for implementing effective control measures and educating individuals on how to prevent infestations.