Lice may live for several weeks on a person, but they rarely live more than 48 hours when removed from a person's body. No, head lice cannot hop, jump or fly. Their legs are adapted for grasping a person's hair. No, head lice are not known to transmit any disease agents. However, secondary infections may result if the skin is broken by repeated scratching.
Nits are louse eggs.
Nits are often the first sign of a head lice infestation. Head lice glue their eggs to the base of the hair shaft, frequently behind the ears or on the nape of the neck. A female head louse produces about four eggs per day and a total of about 88 eggs during her lifetime. Lice are transmitted by close personal contact with an infested person or by sharing their articles of clothing and personal items such as hats, headbands, scarfs or caps, combs and brushes. Typically, 10-15 head lice are found.