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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DD has a cold - CV test?

94 replies

BastardCorona · 14/09/2020 07:28

Sorry; posting for traffic. DD6 has a cold. It’s been threatening to come out for days, with sniffing and sneezing yesterday. Today she is full blown snot, sneezes and slight coughing due to being bunged up. Just to note, she doesn’t have a raised temperature. I’m keeping her off school today because she feels miserable.
My question is do I need to book a CV test? And do I need to declare anything to the school? I’m really confused and worried she won’t be allowed back into school without one but at the same time I don’t want to book her in for a, very hard to get test, which I’m sure is a waste of time.
I’m also really concerned about making a bigger thing about this because the school closed the bubble for my older child last week when another child had a cold and the kids couldn’t come back to class until the (negative) result.
Sorry, I’m rambling a bit but just after a bit of advice really.

OP posts:
VainAbigail · 14/09/2020 07:36

You say she has a slight cough, but the definition by the gov is “new, continuous”.

Try the 119 helpline for advice?

ItsMischerWavy · 14/09/2020 07:41

May be different in your area because everywhere seems to be! I had this exact thing last week, dd3 suddenly got a cold - she had 2 symptoms of covid (temperature and cough) although it was clearly just a cold. I kept her off nursery obviously but also arranged a covid test as otherwise she wouldn't have been allowed to nursery for 2 weeks apparently. Hth... Although probably not lol

Star81 · 14/09/2020 07:41

My child had similar. Phone NHS Covid helpline and discuss symptoms . In my case they said the cough was clearly not continuous so I should not book a test.

icecreamconie · 14/09/2020 07:48

I wound keep her off today as you are doing and see if the cough develops.

Mumsnet is rather helpfully half 'keep them off and test at the slightest hint of anything' and half 'OMG just send them in' Grin

Herewefall · 14/09/2020 07:50

No tests available anywhere at the moment, but speak to the school about what they want you to do.

museumum · 14/09/2020 07:50

Here in Scotland this would be a “no test”. We’ve been told no test for a clear cold.

Florencex · 14/09/2020 07:51

No test. We have run out of anyway because people are ordering them because they sneezed once.

lljkk · 14/09/2020 07:52

sounds like no test but keep her off school so she doesn't contribute to some other child having same symptoms & causing other parents same worries

supersonicginandtonic · 14/09/2020 07:58

No, no, no! Your child has no symptoms of COVID, he doesn't need a proper test. He has a cold. People getting tested when they have no symptoms is why genuine people are struggling to get a test. It's getting silly now.

Sheknowsaboutme · 14/09/2020 07:59

I wouldn’t worry. Its a cold.

arethereanyleftatall · 14/09/2020 08:01

Noooooo. No test. This is exactly why there are no tests left for people who need them. The info is clear. Continuous cough. Temperature. Loss of taste.

Original poster
BastardCorona · 14/09/2020 08:29

@supersonicginandtonic

No, no, no! Your child has no symptoms of COVID, he doesn't need a proper test. He has a cold. People getting tested when they have no symptoms is why genuine people are struggling to get a test. It's getting silly now.
This is exactly why I’m asking. I would, under normal circumstances, not consider seeking a test but the guidance is practically zero and obviously I’m concerned about the action the school will expect me to take. Thank you all for your very helpful responses - it is exactly as I thought.
OP posts:
Bbang · 14/09/2020 08:32

It’ll be the usual back to school/childcare cold. All mine have it as in stuffy blocked nose, itch eyes headache and occasional cough after trying to breathe through their noses. Cough is not continuous in the slightest and no temperature or loss of smell/taste either. School are fine to have them in.

wherestheotherone · 14/09/2020 08:32

If you send her back to school and she starts coughing expect to be asked to provide a negative test before they let her back. 119 is a nightmare, you'll be waiting for hours! I'd speak to the school and see what they need.

ShesMadeATwatOfMePam · 14/09/2020 08:34

Problem is mine had a cold with a related cough but nursery wouldn't take them back unless they had a negative covid result.

RobinlovesCormoran · 14/09/2020 08:39

I've had the virus. I coughed and coughed continuously for about four days. A hacking, painful cough that meant I couldn't sleep much, if at all. There was no mucus, and it felt like my lungs were burning. Because I was maintaining my oxygen the paramedics didn't admit me to hospital. I also had a high temperature and I went off my food. (Unusual for me, I have a plus sized body to maintain, but everything tasted bland and I couldn't smell it) I hope my description helps your decision making.

Mindymomo · 14/09/2020 08:44

I would tell the school she’s just not feeling well because if you mention coughing, they will say get a test and isolate until you get results and everyone knows how impossible it is to get one and see how she is throughout the day.

FaffingForEngland · 14/09/2020 08:50

Although it looks like you've made a decision not to go for a test (the right decision), I suspect it's the many parents who are ordering unnecessary tests who are causing the current shortage. One of my DC has symptoms and sh6es been trying to get a test online since yesterday. Nothing available. And none today, despite 3 of us all trying.

Feminist10101 · 14/09/2020 08:52

Our headteacher shared this. Bloody sensible.

DD has a cold - CV test?
Heidi1976 · 14/09/2020 08:53

The key word relating to cough is 'continuous'. A friend of mine had suspected COVID in March and they said that they literally coughed none stop for an hour. That's what you are looking for.

Belladonna12 · 14/09/2020 08:55

It sounds like a cold. If she's feeling miserable it's worth keeping her off school and things will become clearer anyway. She will either get better or the cough will get worse.

Dahlietta · 14/09/2020 08:56

I keep seeing that bloody flowchart that implies if your child is ill enough to be off school you don't need to consider a Covid test.

CaptainVanesHair · 14/09/2020 08:56

DD is off with a sore throat (was coughing all day Saturday but that had stopped by Sunday morning) because they’re asking us to restrict taking anything in to school. They’ve just advised I ring the helpline and lead with what they suggest but I can’t imagine they’ll want to test her.

Belladonna12 · 14/09/2020 09:00

@Dahlietta

I keep seeing that bloody flowchart that implies if your child is ill enough to be off school you don't need to consider a Covid test.
Yes, I don't know why people think it is such great advice.
TCMcK · 14/09/2020 09:01

Hi, my son is isolating as a child at school tested positive. On Friday he came down with a temperature and on Saturday he started with a cough. I arranged a test at a walk in centre, we went yesterday & are now waiting for results. I had no problems at all arranging a test. I would see how your daughters symptoms develop.