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On October 1, a 12-year-old American girl was reported to have died as an indirect result of a severe lice infestation that lasted for at least three years.

Kaitlyn Yozviak died in August from cardiac arrest, with a secondary cause being severe anemia.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Ryan Hilton said that the young girl had the “most severe” lice infestation his office had ever seen.

While her death can also be attributed to Kaitlyn's vermin-infested home, many people can't help but wonder if head lice can really cause a heart attack to young children.

“Prior pa sa pagkakaroon ng kuto ay mayroon na siyang sakit tulad ng iron deficiency,” tells Dr. Christine Ann Alcoreza, a pediatrician at the World Citi Center, to Pinoy MD.

“Naging added factor lang din 'yung pagkakaroon niya ng kuto sa ulo. Kailangan natin ng proper documentation at baka may sakit 'yung bata bago siya namatay.”

Head lice are tiny bugs about the size of a sesame seed, about 2-3 millimeters long, and their bodies are usually pale and gray.

Head lice feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp and live for 1 to 2 days without a blood meal. They lay and attach their eggs to hair close to the scalp and hatch every 3 weeks if left untreated.

“Usually common ito sa mga bata, mga limang taon pataas, kasi sila 'yung mga laging naglalaro, nagdidikit, lalo na ng mga ulo nila,” says Alcoreza.

Head lice make their way to the head from a close, prolonged head-to-head contact and have a minimal chance to spread through sharing items such as combs, brushes, and hats.

The most common symptom for head lice involves a lot of itching and may take up to four to six weeks before the scalp becomes sensitive to lice saliva.

Alcoreza claims, “Unang sintomas na mararamdaman nila is yung pangangati dulot ng laway ng kuto na inilalabas nito.

“Nagkakaroon din ang mga bata ng emotional stress kasi nangangat ang ulo nila tuwing gabi.

“Walang sakit ang nadudulot ang kuto pero kung ito ay laging nangangati at kinakamot ng bata ay maaring magkaroon ng impeksyon sa ulo ng isang bata.”

When it comes to treating head lice, it's important to check first with the child's doctor before getting any treatment.

The most effective way to treat head lice is with a head lice magazine and after each treatment, using the comb-out method every two to three days for three weeks to help remove the nits and eggs.

“Kailangan natin gamitin 'yung over the counter medicine natin tulad ng permethrin lotion o shampoo at kailangan din sundin natin 'yung paano gamitin ang gamot kasi every three days, nabubuhay 'yung eggs ng kuto,” Alcoreza advises.

Other ways of treating head lice involve washing your child's clothes, towels, hats, and bed linen in hot water and dry in high heat within two days before head lice were found and treated.

Household members who were in close contact with the patient should also have their scalp checked and treated if necessary.

Remember, head lice don't put your child at risk for any serious problem.

If your child has head lice, work quickly but safely to treat your child and prevent head lice from spreading.