Would you get a Covid test for snotty sneezy kids?

[Penny31]

My kids have been sneezing all day and are now very snotty. They are 2 and 6. The 2 year old has just been sick (assuming from the phlegm). No temperature, cough etc. Would you get a Covid test or see if further symptoms develop? I’ll obviously keep them at home until they are better.

I want to do the right thing but not put them through the test unnecessarily.

I wouldn’t for that. I did for my son yesterday but he had a hacking cough!!

No, I wouldn’t. I’d just keep them at home.

Unless they have a fever, no, probably not. I’d keep an eye on them, see if it develops further. Could it be hay fever or another allergy?

It’s the first week I’ve sent them anywhere! 6 year old to a couple of days at a holiday club and 2 year old nursery for 2 days. Typical.

I don’t think it’s allergies, they haven’t suffered before. It’s funny that they are both the same. They are now up and bouncing about between sneezing and snotting. The 2 year old looks hot but doesn’t have a temp. Her eyes look full, just like she’s got a cold.

@OverTheRainbow88 hope your son is ok

To be honest what’s the harm in getting them tested?

See how they are when they wake up in the morning

If either has a covid symptom then (remember gastro pattern has no cough), then book a test

Not for a cold, the test would be tricky to take with a snotty nose.

@Penny31

It’s the first week I’ve sent them anywhere! 6 year old to a couple of days at a holiday club and 2 year old nursery for 2 days. Typical.

I don’t think it’s allergies, they haven’t suffered before. It’s funny that they are both the same. They are now up and bouncing about between sneezing and snotting. The 2 year old looks hot but doesn’t have a temp. Her eyes look full, just like she’s got a cold.

It probably is just a cold. There are still plenty of other viruses circulating.

As an aside, this is what’s worrying me about sending mine back to school. Will we have to test them every time they have a snotty nose or a cough?

@Penny31

Yes his came back negative thanks. I was pretty sure it wasn’t covid but didn’t want to stay home for 2 weeks for a cough so got him tested. I’m still avoiding busy places as don’t want to freak others out!

Gosh it’s sad it’s come to this.

Yours have probs picked up the usual starting nursery illnesses 🙄! Hope they recover quickly 🤞🏽

Normally my mum has them while I work, I’m not sure whether to still let her. She’s 74 and fit but still....maybe I should just get the test to be sure. How on earth has it come to this??? Every sniffle becomes a concern and can turn life upside down 😔

No and mine still went to nursery who weren’t bothered.

No, not unless they had a high temperature.

You're right though, every sniffle right now and your mind goes straight to "is this corona?" I had a slight temp and a sore throat on a friday afternoon a few weeks ago and spent half an hour writing a "I'm off to get a test, if it's positive this is what urgently needs doing next week" email in a solo office which I then locked and stuck a "do not enter" sign on before I left to get said test. Normally I'd just have gone home a bit early.

When you go to get the test you have to blow your nose before so it's clear. So I'm not sure with a snotty nose it would work. To be honest it's a horrendous test to try to give kids so unless they develop a cough or temperature I wouldn't take them.

I would not take mine in for that.

Yes I’d test. You’ll have to if you intend to use school or childcare so it’s likely to be the first of many.

This is my dd, yesterday she was hot to touch but complaining of being cold and had a nap, at 7yo! But mostly just snotty and sneezy with puffy eyes, she does have allergies though.

She's back to normal today just with the sniffles, we were meant to be going away today, but instead of setting off at 8am, we were at the testing centre! Hoping to get results back tomorrow!

Yes I’d test. You’ll have to if you intend to use school or childcare

I thought we only had to get tests if displaying coronavirus symptoms? And that runny noses and sneezing were not on the symptoms list? Not arguing with you, just trying to make sure I understand the guidance!

Do you use something like the Zoe Covid app?
If so add their symptoms and it will tell you whether they think you should test or not.

No, not for snotty and sneezing. The first time my children went to the playground after lockdown they came down with something but it is almost certainly just a cold, snotty, sneezing, no cough or temperature. They gave it my husband who had similar symptoms. I thought I was going to get it as had a slight tickle at the back of my throat but it went away. If one of us had had a temperature or cough I’d have got a test but 99% sure it’s just a cold but we aren’t seeing anyone at the moment anyway and neither of the children go to nursery so we are just staying at home.

There is a nasty summer cold going around that makes you stream with snot and also lose your voice. We got tested as we all came down with symptoms but obviously was negative.

I rang 119 and they said that for sneezing and snot it’s ok but if they have a coughing episode in 24 hours then the need testing. Not sure what and episode is classed as. 2 year old coughed during her nap but it’s the mucus going down her throat! She does look proper poorly but just full of cold. It’s not something that would concern me at all under normal circumstances. If it was Covid I wouldn’t be concerned, what I am concerned about is giving it to others.

Mum is still happy to have them so as long as we don’t go anywhere else then we should be fine.

yes, because that's the advice in the country where we live (not uk).
any cold symptoms or fever here means test and self isolate until all symptoms are gone.

Yes I would test.

I thought streaming nose had been declared a symptom in another country just not here?
It's going to be a nightmare going into winter. My eldest today had stuffy nose, how and where and why I don't know she's not been anywhere!! Except a shoe shop with mask on and no one else around.