Has anyone had a Coronavirus Swab?

[FairlowWonder]

My son has a mild cough and as we are keyworkers he can get tested. My husband is not keen as he thinks it will be very painful so not worth it. Has anyone had one, particularly from one of the drive through centres.

Many thanks

[Puddlelane123]

I had one and it was not at allpainful, jusy slightly uncomfortable as the throat swab triggered my gag reflex but it was over in seconds. The nasal swab goes up quite far which feels a bit strange but again not painful.

[YouAndMeAndTheDevilMakesThree]

It's uncomfortable but that's hardly a reason not to get tested - it only takes seconds!

[CaryStoppins]

If his cough means you’re both going to be off work for 14 days then I’d go and get him tested.

[Sadie789]

Good grief. A grown man scared of a swab. Pathetic.

[CaryStoppins]

I think he’s worried about it being painful for his child not him - it’s the son who has symptoms.

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1]

Yes I've had one. triggers your gag reflex, over in seconds.

[pocketem]

It's uncomfortable, not painful. They have to go right back to the back of your throat for the nasal swab

[FairlowWonder]

Thanks, he’s actually had the cough for more than a week but is worse than when it first started - sounds barky and more frequent, still mild and wouldn’t usually be worried

[FairlowWonder]

Just had a text through and it says for the drive through you must all be over 18! How on earth do we get children tested then.

[Allaboutthatbass]

From what I gather if her’s been symptomatic over a week the swan is likely to be negative anyway.

[olympicsrock]

I’ve had it done. They swab the back of your throat which makes you gag. They did mine 3 times as I did gag. Not painful at all though. Then they swirled it in my nostril. Again not painful

[PrivateD00r]

Unfortunately a lot are being done incorrectly, which is no doubt contributing to the high false negative rate (30%). It certainly shouldn't be 'swirled round the nostril', it should be inserted right back to the nasopharyngeal space, which is really quite far back. You are quite right op, if done correctly, it should be uncomfortable. I would be dubious about taking my own children too, though would put it up with it for myself dread it though!)

[PrivateD00r]

Oh how strange, ours test everyone over 5 - in fact I think they might even be including under 5's now (I scanned through a recent email but didn't read it closely as it is not relevant to me).

[Orangeblossom78]

Could you get a home test?

[PuffinShop]

The nose one is somewhat uncomfortable because it goes really far in but I wouldn't describe it as painful. It's more just an odd sensation. The throat one makes you gag. Both over in seconds, though. It's nothing to be nervous of, I'd be happy to get my kids tested.

[Babbas]

We visited a drive through site today. It was almost impossible to do the swab correctly imo. I seabed the back of my throat but knocked my teeth accidentally, only afterwards did i realise this might invalidate your test. Also don't think any of us got up high enough in the nose. It was ok, but became a bit stressful because you have to keep your windows up, listen to instructions through the closed window, read the instructions, swab yourself correctly (hard to swab back of throat without it touching your tongue cheek or teeth) and then swab your children. Very very grateful to all the helpers out there, they were doing an amazing