General Information

• Pubic lice are tiny wingless insects that live only on human beings.
• The primary mode of transmission is via the skin-to-skin contact that occurs during sexual intercourse. Lice are very contagious. There is a 95% chance of transmission during a single episode of sexual intercourse. Rarely they may be transmitted via objects such as infected bed linens or toilet seats.
• Pubic lice are annoying but cause no serious health problems.
• They are also referred to as "crabs."
• Up to 30 % of individuals with pubic lice also have another sexually transmitted disease.