Puri Head Lice Death Case: A large population worldwide is troubled by head lice. Let us explain how dangerous this is and whether it can be fatal.

lice infestation

Can Head Lice Infection Cause Death? While walking, in the office, or elsewhere, you often encounter people who repeatedly scratch their heads. There could be various reasons for this, but one of the most common is a lice infestation. Most people think, "It's okay, everything will be fine once you wash your hair," and they completely ignore it. But do you know how dangerous this neglect can be in the long run? This problem can become so serious that it can even be life-threatening. A very worrying case has emerged from Puri district, Odisha, where a 12-year-old girl, who had been battling a severe head lice infestation for a long time, died during treatment. This incident occurred in the Champagada Sahi area of ​​the Balanga police station, raising serious questions about the health of children in rural areas and the availability of timely treatment. Let us explain the entire incident.

What is the matter?

According to reports, the deceased girl has been identified as Laxmipriya Sahu, a sixth-grade student at a local school. According to family members, she had been suffering from a severe head lice infestation for several months. Initially, it was dismissed as a common problem, but over time, the infestation worsened. Reports indicate that the girl's mother advised her to shave her head to prevent the infection, but the girl refused. Meanwhile, the infestation spread throughout her head. The odor and increasing discomfort associated with the infestation also caused the girl to become mentally unstable, and she almost stopped going outside. Because she always kept her hair tied, other family members were unable to discern the severity of the infestation.

Vomiting of blood worsened the situation.

The situation worsened when, three days ago, the girl suddenly began vomiting blood. Her family immediately rushed her to Puri Medical College and Hospital, where she began treatment. However, despite all efforts, she died on Saturday night.

What do experts say?

Most experts and health researchers suggest that lice infestations are not life-threatening. However, according to a research study published in the scientific health website sciencedirect, head lice are external parasites that feed on human blood. This problem is most common in young children, their caregivers, and people living in the same household. Lice are generally not considered a serious health threat and are not known to directly transmit any disease. For this reason, people often ignore them, considering them a minor problem. However, prolonged and severe infestations can lead to serious consequences.

The death of a 12-year-old girl has raised concerns.

The study stated that the death of a 12-year-old girl living in a rural area of ​​Georgia, USA, on August 26, 2020, shocked the medical community. According to the report, the primary cause of death was cardiac arrest, while investigations revealed that she had severe iron deficiency anemia, a condition caused by a long-term, severe head lice infestation. Medical reports indicated that the girl had an abnormally high number of head lice. The constant blood-sucking led to anemia, which ultimately proved fatal. The girl's parents were also charged with negligence and child abuse in this case.

Direct link between lice and anemia

According to studies, lice are blood-sucking parasites. One study found that an adult female louse sucks approximately 0.00015 ml of blood at a time. If thousands of lice are feeding on a child's head multiple times a day, the daily and monthly blood loss can reach clinically dangerous levels, especially in children who are already weak or malnourished. Therefore, this should never be taken lightly.