Covid testing for one year old

[yomommasmomma]

I have an appointment booked for a corona test at a testing site today for me and my 2 boys aged 1 and 5 and the info says I have to get in the back of the car and swab then myself! Does anyone have experience of doing that with children of that age? How does it work?

[TheFlis12345]

I thought they only tested kids over 5? My DB’s family were all tested except my nephew, they wouldn’t test him as he is only 3.

[yomommasmomma]

It has now changed and anyone can be tested of any age

[FrodoTheDodo]

Are you sure? Can you link?

[yomommasmomma]

Yes here is the screen shot from nhs site

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Tbh you would probably have a better chance of getting a swab from a toddler than a soldier! Personally I would try bribery... Open your mouth then you will get a lollipop or similar.

[yomommasmomma]

Yes I will defo be taking sweets for bribery. Just thinking about the logistics of climbing in to the back of the car (the confirmation email says you can't get out of the car) and managing to swab them both successfully.

[FrodoTheDodo]

Do you have to? Will it make a big difference not to test them? I'd have concerns about unqualified people (no offence OP!) swabbing under 5s.

[Murraygoldberg]

I just had a test this morning and I think you would just need to pin them down for the nasal one as is quite uncomfortable bribe for throat, pin for nose!

[yomommasmomma]

I agree I have massive concerns too!!! It's madness I think really but 5 year old due back to school on Monday and he is desperate to go, so we want to test and confirm he doesn't have it so he can go.

We also saw my parents socially distanced of course on Saturday (first people we have seen for 3 months) and so want to be sure we don't have it so they don't have to worry as they live with my 86 year old grandmother.

[yomommasmomma]

Bribe from throat, pin for nose!! A new slogan!

How do I ping them down in the back of the car though? I can't even sit next to their car seats as we have 2 car seats in the back so no space to sit there.

[farfar]

I wouldn't want to swab a child under 5 and I've carried out hundreds of nose/throat swabs. Some risk of harm but mostly a risk of a completely ineffective swab.

What makes you think they have COVID?

[FrodoTheDodo]

This is what I mean, do you HAVE to swab the one year old? Isn't you and the 5 year old enough? You're all living in the same household, all having close contact.

[FrodoTheDodo]

@farfar Me too. I wouldn't want to swab a one year old, especially with no reason.

[yomommasmomma]

Why are they allowing people to do these swabs if it is so difficult? You can also order them to be posted to you at home and do it there. It must be possible surely.

We would like them both tested as per my previous post. The baby has symptoms and 5 year old fine at the moment but we want him checked because of school.

[StopMakingATitOfUrselfNPissOff]

You can just swab their nose, you don't have to swab their tonsils. You can't get out but you are parked up so you can take your seatbelt off and turn round.

[yomommasmomma]

Thank you that's really helpful

[FrodoTheDodo]

I don't think they should be to be honest. If the 1 year old is ill, talk to GP and ask them to test if they think its medically necessary. I personally wouldn't want to be pinning down a 1 year old in the back of a car to try and shove something in their throat and up their nose.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Just before you get to the testing centre, pull over and move one child to front passenger seat. (I would go for baby). Then if 5yo can do his own seat belt, get him to undo it and learn forward.

[yomommasmomma]

Frodo the gp's don't do testing, the only ways to get a corona test is ordering it in the post or going to a testing centre as we are. Anyone in the country can get a test if they have symptoms. It is the way that the test and trace system is going to work with anyone who has symptoms being tested. We are encouraged to do it.

[yomommasmomma]

Yes that was my thought to get baby on to passenger seat next to me and do him and then 5 year old climbs over to passenger and I do him. Maybe 5 year old first so he doesn't see 15 month old crying and get worried

[FrodoTheDodo]

It's up to you. I wouldn't do any kind of invasive testing on a baby that doesn't understand why or what is happening, unless it was absolutely necessary which it doesn't seem to be here. But that's just me, if you want to do it, that's fine too.

[fallfallfall]

Order a finger poke version, beyond the tonsils and in place for so many seconds?? If not done right it will be inaccurate.
I suspect it will look like a cartoon of bathing a cat.

[yomommasmomma]

Just to reiterate my questions was has anyone been to the testing sites and down the test and have any experience of it they can tell me about. Not sure how helpful some of these replies have been but thanks anyway.

[LoisLittsLover]

If they are both strapped into car seats then surely they will be adequately restrained so that you can swab them.

[yomommasmomma]

That's a good point thank you. I am sure there will be some instructions given when we get there. The people there must have seen others do it!