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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Lice isn't an illness. It's not highly contagious. It's annoying and takes some work to eradicate. But let's stop with the hyperbole.

By the time your average kid is diagnosed, they have had the lice for two weeks. So the odds of your catching it in the period of time between being diagnosed and using the shampoo to kill live lice is pretty much zero. The AAP doesnt even recommend sending kids home from school.

I'm a pediatrician. I've diagnosed lice. My 15 year old had lice twice in elementary school. My husband and I never caught lice. We did the shampooing and combing, but our younger daughters nanny didn't get lice either.

/if/ the parents knew the night before, they should have at least done the initial shampoo. (The OP still hasn't clarified the timeline) but, seriously, this is not bubonic plague or even strep throat. It's a minor annoyance.[/quote]What OP's family did is disgraceful and I wouldn't blame her if she quit on the spot. I'm also having a hard time believing you are a pediatrician. So let me ask you this-if you stand by your original statement, am I correct in assuming you would have no problem with another parent showing up at your house for a playdate with their child's head full of lice without telling you first. Can I also assume that you would have no problem with another parent sending their child to school with your child with full knowledge that they have lice? Please answer with explanation.[/quote]

Im not sure why you doubt I'm a pediatrician, since my views are pretty much exactly those of the most recent AAP policy statement, found here:
(except for the fact that this paper estimates the average child has had lice for a full month before diagnosis)

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/126/2/392.full?sid=e0db2bd1-55fd-4e64-af14-61cb3ba42684

I said in my first post, I'd expect the parents to do a shampoo treatment the first afternoon after diagnosis.  I'd have no problem having a child over for a playdate or back to school after a shampoo treatment.  I'd have no problem with a child remaining at school. I might cut a playdate short if I dissevered live lice on either child, but only because girls playing one on one are more likely to touch their heads together. I'd have zero concern about the child transmitting lice to me, however, or infecting my house.

When we discovered lice, we only did the two shampoos, nit combing, and washing the sheets and pillowcases. Bagging and vacuuming all the stuffed animals and furniture is usually overkill, but I could see doing in for a recurrent case.

So, yes, I stand by what I said. If the parents were just informed that afternoon about the lice, it seems entirely appropriate to ask the nanny to wash the sheets and do a shampoo after school. If the parents knew the night before, it wasn't reasonable to wait a whole day for the initial treatment. And considering staying out of work because of a case of lice is over the top, as is doing any sort of treatment or cleaning in your house if you yourself don't have any signs of lice.
[/quote]

Wow....I would be so pissed if you had my kids over within a week or so and not being told.  It may not be an illness but it dies easily spread and who wants to deal with it if they do not have to.  As a parent, I would stay home when possible and give my nanny the day off if she did not want to help deal with it.   Same for colds.  It does not help us if she gets sick after we get sick.  I have also worked as a babysitter/nanny.  No way would I deal with lice.  I have long curly hair that I am not risking.  Any other time, I happily cooked, cleaned and did many things not asked of me because I knew iit would get me another call again.

You are exposed to everything under the sun and that is the professional risk you take.  Not everyone is ok with that.  Today I am sick.  My husband took off to care for me and our kids.  I will scrub the house down and wash all bedding before she returns.  Better for us to miss two days or work than her missing a week and being sick.  You may not have that luxury to take off but many of us do.    We care for our nanny who goes above and beyond ....   A little consideration goes a long way. [/quote]

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