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Another look at lice

¹ Claymont, Del.

For the most part, I have found AAP News to be an excellent means by which to remain "in contact" with the medical field. However, after reading Dr. Penso's commentary in the March issue, I am concerned about the limitations of his contact with reality!

Head lice issues do not compare with social issues such as gangs, violence, drugs, teen pregnancy, low standards and drop-uts, which, according to Dr. Penso, schools are reportedly "unable or unwilling to deal with."

As a nationally certified school nurse, I do not see administrators placing inappropriate attention on either issue. They are completely separate and unrelated.

Children who are lice-infested pose a threat to other children from the simple standpoint that the pests are hardly "benign," which Taber's defines as "not recurrent or progressive." Head lice are tremendously recurrent if not dealt with properly, and lice definitely pose a progressive distraction in an academic environment. They are not "readily eradicated" by anything!