lice are live so a person exposed can have live lice relatively fast if the encounter was sufficient. head to head activities use of combs/brushes sharing hats all can transmit lice from one person to the next almost immediately. nits are either unhatched eggs or the remnants of hatched egges. obviously the unhatched eggs are problematic since they will hatch in about two weeks and be mobile. soon they will be laying there own eggs. nits are firmly glued to the hair shaft. the unhatched nits are within a 1/4 or so of the scalp. the nits do not easily transfer from person to person unless it is with combs or brushes. live lice do not live long off of their chosen human hosts -- several hours at best (they gotta eat! ) so exposure from carpets furniture etc. is possible but considerably less likely. you will need to check your kids (and each other) for the next week looking for live lice and nits. they can be elusive so look carefully. if you don't find them you are probably in the clear from this unwanted birthday party gift. if you do find them they will need to be promptly treated. this is a gift that can keep on giving.
how long after my kids are exposed to nits or lice will they become infested or see symptoms? . my kids were exposed to nits at a birthday party on sat. it is now wed. how much longer must i worry that they might become infested?