大多数研究者同意污染物(即可携带传染性微生物的无生命物体)传染并非主要的头虱传播途径,尽管存在可能性。[2]Burgess I. Human lice and their control. Ann Rev Entomol. 2004;49:457-481.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14651472?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Meinking TL. Infestations: pediculosis. Curr Probl Dermatol. 1999;11:73-120.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8743266?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Gratz NG; World Health Organization/WHOPES. Human lice: their prevalence, control and resistance to insecticides - a review, 1985-1997. August 1997. http://whqlibdoc.who.int (last accessed 2 November 2016).http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1997/WHO_CTD_WHOPES_97.8.pdf[21]Chunge RN, Scott FE, Underwood JE, et al. A pilot study to investigate transmission of head lice. Can J Public Health. 1991;82:207-208.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1884317?tool=bestpractice.com[22]Maunder JW. Human lice: some basic facts and misconceptions. Bull Pan Am Health Organ. 1985;19:194-197.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4052692?tool=bestpractice.com[23]Burkhart CN. Fomite transmission with head lice: a continuing controversy. Lancet. 2003;361:99-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12531574?tool=bestpractice.com[24]Burkhart CN, Burkhart CG. Fomite transmission in head lice. J Am Acad Derm. 2007;56:6.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17187895?tool=bestpractice.com
大部分头虱会紧紧地粘住最靠近头皮的头发,不愿意离开,除非在特殊情况下。[11]Meinking TL. Infestations: pediculosis. Curr Probl Dermatol. 1999;11:73-120.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8743266?tool=bestpractice.com
从梳子上获得的虱通常是死的或者受伤,不能够再繁殖。 头虱的爪不适合在诸如塑料、玻璃、木头等光滑表面爬行。[11]Meinking TL. Infestations: pediculosis. Curr Probl Dermatol. 1999;11:73-120.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8743266?tool=bestpractice.com
在温和的气候下,离开宿主的头皮,虱很少存活超过 24 小时。 即使在与被感染的个体密切接触后,存在于枕套上的虱也极少。[25]Speare R, Cahill C, Thomas G. Head lice on pillows, and strategies to make a small risk even less. Int J Derm. 2003;42:626-629.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12890107?tool=bestpractice.com 但是,谨慎的做法是避免头部接触可能被污染的物品,并对已知有感染个体的物品进行常规清洁。[12]Gratz NG; World Health Organization/WHOPES. Human lice: their prevalence, control and resistance to insecticides - a review, 1985-1997. August 1997. http://whqlibdoc.who.int (last accessed 2 November 2016).http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1997/WHO_CTD_WHOPES_97.8.pdf[21]Chunge RN, Scott FE, Underwood JE, et al. A pilot study to investigate transmission of head lice. Can J Public Health. 1991;82:207-208.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1884317?tool=bestpractice.com[22]Maunder JW. Human lice: some basic facts and misconceptions. Bull Pan Am Health Organ. 1985;19:194-197.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4052692?tool=bestpractice.com[23]Burkhart CN. Fomite transmission with head lice: a continuing controversy. Lancet. 2003;361:99-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12531574?tool=bestpractice.com[24]Burkhart CN, Burkhart CG. Fomite transmission in head lice. J Am Acad Derm. 2007;56:6.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17187895?tool=bestpractice.com[25]Speare R, Cahill C, Thomas G. Head lice on pillows, and strategies to make a small risk even less. Int J Derm. 2003;42:626-629.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12890107?tool=bestpractice.com