ATLANTA, GA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some unfortunate news for everyone: Talking about scabies can actually give you scabies.
“You know how just talking about scabies makes you want to scratch your entire body until it all goes away?” commented Director of the CDC Triple R or Robert R. Redfield, scratch marks evident on his arms and hands. “Well, turns out scabies can be transmitted conversationally. Our worst fears have come true.”
This is bad news for health care professionals who have taken care of patients with scabies and have subsequently felt itchy despite following appropriate contact precautions. If you can catch scabies just by talking, then contact isolation gowns aren’t going to do jack. Ugh.
“If you find yourself within earshot of a conversation about scabies, whether or not you’re directly involved in the conversation, seek treatment immediately. First-line treatments include permethrin or ivermectin,” RRR advised, using a back scratcher to get those pesky Sarcoptes scabiei between his shoulder blades. “And don’t forget to use hot water to wash all clothing and bedsheets.”
CDC expects to release scabies prevention guidelines centered on a two-pronged approach: hygiene and never saying the word “scabies” aloud ever again. Like ever.
