If a child going to school or daycare with your son or daughter has lice, would you want to know?
New guidelines for schools and daycares from the Ministry of Health, which were obtained by La Presse, say if it's just one child there is no cause for concern and no need to spread the word.
The presentation made to school boards say other parents should only be notified should an outbreak affect 10 per cent of a group.
Ministry officials say if a student has lice they should not be sent home, or made to feel like they are being singled out or excluded from the rest of the group.
The guidelines mention in most cases of lice, the parasite can be present for several weeks before it is found.
The Ministry notes sending a child home and forcing them to miss multiple school days can cause anxiety, embarrassment, shame and low self-esteem.
Despite a call for more relaxed reactions, there is still plenty of doors open for teachers and schools to use their own discretion for special circumstances like a massive or persistent infestation.
In any case the Ministry says any action taken should respect the dignity and fundamental rights of the infected individual.