What does a person suffering from pediculosis have?

A person suffering from pediculosis has an infestation of lice. Pediculosis specifically refers to the condition caused by the presence of lice, which are small parasitic insects that live on the scalp, body, or pubic area of humans and feed on blood. There are different types of lice that can affect individuals, including head lice, body lice, and pubic lice. The term "pediculosis" comes from the Latin word "pediculus," meaning louse, and it highlights the specific nature of this infestation.

In contrast, the other conditions refer to different types of infestations. Fleas are a separate type of insect that typically infest pets or homes rather than humans directly. Ticks are arachnids that latch onto the skin of mammals or birds but are not classified as lice. Mites also belong to a different class of arachnids and can cause various skin conditions but are not related to lice. Thus, recognizing pediculosis as an infestation specifically caused by lice is key to understanding the term and responding appropriately to the condition.