World | Philippines
Politicians told to be on the lookout for 'lice'
As Filipinos took to the polls yesterday, doctors aired warnings that politicians may literally be getting "lice" in exchange for their "lies".
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 23:51 October 29, 2007
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Village election violence leaves 25 killed, 48 hurt
Village election violence leaves 25 killed, 48 hurt
Manila: As Filipinos took to the polls yesterday, doctors aired warnings that politicians may literally be getting "lice" in exchange for their "lies".
The Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) said that during the election period, politicians should to be on the watch for skin diseases and other infestations that are known to be transferred by physical contact.
During periods of heightened political activity, particularly during the campaigning, politicians come in contact "with the masses" in an effort to get more votes, physicians said.
Incidentally it is also at these instances that infestations such as head lice also gets transferred from one host to the other.
Dr Socorro Toledo of the PDS said that head lice infestation or "peduculiasis", may be transferred to politicians who mingle with children.
She was quoted in a report by the Philippine Star that Peduculiasis is prevalent among school children and is one of the three most common forms of infestations among children.
"Politicians who kiss babies and hug children are likely to get kuto [lice]," Toledo said.
Toledo said that recent surveys point out that some 560,000 public elementary schools, particularly those in rural areas, have students with head lice problems.
"Lice do not discriminate whether you are rich or poor. They just want human blood to survive," Toledo said.
She said the effect on a person infected with lice could range from simple lack of sleep to deep set emotional distress.
"Persons with head lice may become ill-tempered," Toledo said.
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