# Hypothetical Medical Situation. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2017, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-medical-situation/791472 "2017-07-17T07:05:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-medical-situation/791472/1 "2017-07-17T07:05:01Z")
A few days before a recent trip to the ER with some other symptoms, I discovered I have head lice and began treatment the very same day. ALL of it. EVERY step. But even so, I still found a few on the day of the ER trip. Sooo (no longer hypothetical - can you tell?) when I signed in, on the sheet in big letters I wrote: **I HAVE HEAD LICE!!!**. Okay - now pretend you’re the doc and/or the nurse: what would YOU do in that situation? About 10 years ago, we medical staff would have immediately put on head caps, gloves and/or gowns before laying a hand on me. These kids didn’t do that, though, despite my repeated attempts to get them to do so. What would _you_ have done, had you been an ER nurse and/or doctor? What have I missed? What’s changed in the last 10 years to make them react that way (or not react) to what I was telling them? Still working on the lice, to answer your unasked question. Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-medical-situation/791472/2 "2017-07-17T07:10:31Z")
Head lice can’t jump. You pretty much have to nuzzle someone with your head (or share a hat) in order to transfer them. There’s no real need for caps, gowns etc.