Testing a 5 year old for CV - how hideous is it?

[Librarybooksandacoconut]

DS has woken up with a cough and a slight temperature. He’s back at school and I’m a teacher back at work so we need to get tested to rule out Covid. I’ve got a drive in appointment booked for this morning, but I’m really dreading having to test ds as he’s a tendency to get really upset when he’s in pain or uncomfortable. Anyone had to do it and can reassure me/give me some advice?

I can’t reasure you or give you any advice at all, I had to test my nearly 2 year old and the truth of the matter is that it was absolutely horrific! Sorry 😞

My 3 year.old was tested. It is very gentle. Just a quick swab.at the back of the throat. Just as she gagged it was over.

My 4 yo got tested, as did I, and was fine with it. It's not exactly a delightful experience but uncomfortable rather than painful, and quick!

My six year old and I were tested. It’s less intrusive and quicker than a dental check up. Swan at the back of the throat and then inside the nose.

We did it for my 8 yr old and it was ok. They say it shouldn't hurt. It's basically a swab at the sides and back of the mouth for about 5-10 seconds, but it should tickle more than hurt. And then up the nose. I have to admit, we didn't really get much up the nose, he'd had enough by then!

The hardest thing was getting him to put his tongue down so we could see the sides and back of the mouth.

My just 4 year old was a star. Gagged once but by then it was over. I think they say swab the tonsil area for ten seconds, we managed a quick wipe and a quick shove up the nose. It also says not to touch anywhere else in your mouth. She automatically clamped her mouth shut when we put it in. It didn't affect her result. The annoying thing is that your/their result might come back inconclusive and then you need to think about what you do next.

We did our 3 year old twins and sorry to say it was hideous. First results were unclear too (no wonder really!) so we had to go through it all again. We first went to drive through where me and DH were done by staff through window but you have to do the children yourselves. Whilst strapped in their car seats and whilst you're in the front of the car as you're not allowed to get out. But, if it's got to be be done then you just do it. Good luck x

They give you the option to do it yourself which I would take for my child.
I tested myself a few days ago at a drive in centre due to starting with a cough and high temp (negative luckily...has turned out to just be a really vile cold) and the worst part is swabbing the tonsil as it makes you gag but as long as you can do it for a couple of seconds it's fine (I managed to do mine for 10 secs but my husband who was also testing literally managed 2 secs and he still got a result through). You do that first then put the same swab up the nose, push it up until it stops (no forcing it up there like you see in some of those videos going about) and rub it round for 10 secs. That bit doesn't hurt at all so I made sure I did a good job of that bit to make sure I got a result!
Bribery with a sweet treat for afterwards and I'm sure they will be fine

It’s not nice but the discomfort is momentary.
A dd has had her 4 and 5 year olds tested more than once.
Just don’t do it right after a meal, because if it’s done correctly the throat swab does make you gag. Gdd did throw up in the car the first time!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I suspect that we’re going to have a not-fun morning but I have promised him an ice cream afterwards!

I assume you are in Scotland. I tried to book a drive through test yesterday and couldn't get one.

Did you find it easy to book the test?

Yes I went on first thing this morning (after being woken by DS’s hacking cough) and there were plenty of slots this morning. There’s been very few cases recently where we are so maybe that’s why.

I took my 6 year old to a drive through.
It wasn't too bad. Uncomfortable but NOT painful. Difficult to get to the back of the throat without touching the tongue though! You need to see the tonsils do get them to stick their tongue out, when dd gagged a bit it was actually easier because her tongue went down.
Bribes help - I brought a packet of chocolate biscuits (for after).
Left her in the car seat so no wriggling.
Discussed it before hand to make it less scary "mummy's going to tickle the back of your throat, you'll want to close your mouth but please don't. Then you can have a chocolate biscuit then mummy will tickle the inside of your nose a bit. Then another chocolate biscuit..."

Might even be a good idea to practice on a toy together first at home... use a pencil to tickle the toys mouth then tickle the toys nose. Emphasise how its not at all scary etc.

Librarybooksandacoconut
I've managed to book. Thanks. Think it might have been a website glitch yesterday.
Fingers crossed it's nothing but a cold.

I did the drive through self test on myself and my ds last week. It was absolutely fine. In fact afterwards I read a thread on here saying it was painful etc and worried I must have done it wrong. We did both gag slightly but it was not at all painful. Got results the next day.

Having done swabs on young children at work. ( paediatric nurse) I'm
Not convinced that they are accurate as they do tent to clamp their mouths shut, and it's impossible to do it for the ten seconds.

Did my three year old. It was fine, despite the fact she'd vomited copiously five minutes before (in the car; delightful). They were very helpful and said nasal swabs were fine, though I think that's not the case everywhere and I don't know why the different rules.

Its fine, not painful just a bit uncomfortable, more tickly than anything

Most children will probably gag, but this is fine and actually tends to make it easier. If they do nasal that is more uncomfortable, but I imagine whether they do that depends on how well the oral one goes

Been and done and it was ok. We both had to self swab (obviously I did DS’s for him), ds tolerated me putting it in his nose and mouth, but not for very long so it may not have picked up enough for a proper sample. It was pretty easy though so at least if we need to go again I know it’s not too much of a big deal.