What do you do with small children in this scenario? Covid related.

[StormyTeacups]

DS is just 4, at nursery during school hours as I work in a school. He has developed a nasty cough and is under the weather, tired, quiet etc. Had a temperature one night.

He is hugely resistant to the swab tests, I did a lat flow on him but I really wouldn't trust the result (negative) as he was resisting so much. With any of the other kids I'd do a PCR to be sure but can't see how I will get a good sample.

There has been a lot of covid around, DD, 11 had it last month, 8 if the kids in my class were out, staff etc. So there is every chance it may be, but without a test what do we do?

If one of us didn't work we could keep him off and isolate just in case, but given that I have already had nigh on 10 days off for DD, I think without a test result work would understandably raise an eye brow. Dh runs a business and couldn't reschedule everything at short notice, though could cover the odd bit.

What's the expected course of action here? Am tempted to order a PCR and get dh to pin him down while I swab...😬 But equally, kids have so many bugs it could be anything and not worth tormenting him over.

I’d test the rest of you for a start. If he’s got it it would be surprising ( but not impossible) for him not to have given it to you.

I have a 4 year old and do it when she is asleep

Don't nursery need a negative result to allow him back in? I know it's shit having to pin them down, but there isn't really another choice when you both have to work.

We've found letting him have a favourite programme on our phones helps, and a biscuit immediately afterwards as a reward.

I have heard of parents doing PCRs while children slept. I’m sure my daughter would wake. I have unfortunately just taken her to the test center and pinned her down to get it done. It’s very distressing for the both of us. Unfortunately her nursery are very strict and demand a PCR for any symptom of illness e.g. a runny nose. I have to take 2 days off every time she is ill and the local test centre is the quickest way to get results. A home test takes about 4 days. I would really like the Scottish Government to stop testing under 5s, but they won’t. (I don’t have a partner to share the time off with).

If he has symptoms you'll need a PCR to send him in.

If result is negative (trustworthy or not) he can go back in though personally , I would keep him home until his symptoms have gone.

Like pp said- I'd test whole family which will give some added confidence to his result.

Dh and I have been doing regular lat flows and we are negative, and no symptoms. Nursery haven't requested that he test, in fact on other occasions they have called to say be has a temp and would I like them to give him calpol etc.

You either do a pcr or stay off work with him ten days. Those are your only options.

Is he well enough for nursery whether it’s covid or not? I think that’s how you should approach it.

I mean obviously if it’s covid keep him home but it doesn’t sound like he’s well enough for nursery anyway….

I've ordered a PCR, will enlist dh who is away this weekend. Obviously if he is unwell he won't be going anywhere anyway. He was coughing all night and this morning, less so now but has just had a burst of diarrhoea, so maybe a bug of some variety.

I do it when child is asleep, obviously wakes up but at least I get the swab without causing trauma (I hope).

I understand what you mean OP. I’ve had to test my 7yo several times, always negative, but tbh, I struggled to get a sample so Ive never really been 100% confident with negative results. I wish we had the spit tests they use in France, even if just for under 10s.

I've done the 9 and 11 year-old no problem, but this boy is another matter!

Is it nose and throat at 4?

It is extremely unlikely to be covid based on what you've said. Small children tend to have no to minimal symptoms, there are a lot of worse bugs going about.
If he isn't well enough for nursery, keep him home until better like you would with any other bug.

Just nose is fine

You can buy saliva antigen tests, for your peace of mind. He sounds too sick to be going anywhere though.

I would try when sleeping, but ultimately I'd pin them down if I had to. No different to holding a young dc to have a vaccine in my mind.

Hacing repetitive periods of 10 days off work would ultimately lose me my job, which would mean losing our house, and that would be worse for the dc in the long run than a couple of secs with a swab.

Obviously horrible to have to do though!

It's just in the nose for children.