Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Slideshow Pictures A Visual Guide to Erectile Dysfunction Take the Quiz on STDs

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

Next Steps

Follow-up

To avoid a pubic lice re-infection or to avoid infection of other family members after successful medical treatment, all infested linens and clothes need to be washed in hot water that reaches at least 130 F (54.4 C). If you are unsure of the temperature of your hot water, take your belongings to a commercial laundry. Bed linens, towels, and other potentially contaminated textiles should be thoroughly disinfected. Items that cannot be laundered can be dry-cleaned or stored in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.

Pubic lice are generally harmless, but people with sexually transmitted infections often have multiple infections, and other sexually transmitted infections that can be more dangerous.

• If the patient has been to the emergency department, they will probably be asked to follow-up with their regular doctor.
  
  
• If a patient has treated themselves for crabs, consider a visit to the doctor as part of follow-up care.