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Original poster

DD(6) refusing Covid test - what to do?

77 replies

RoseStar · 08/09/2021 19:03

Hi all, DD has come home from school with sore throat, headache and temp of 38.5. She’s flatly refusing to have a Covid test, I've tried everything. Coaxing, making it fun, offering toys/treats/rewards, doing one myself (terrified her), other bribery, guilt tripping… nothing is sticking.

Any suggestions as to what I can do?! Do one whilst she’s asleep?? Or would it work if she coughed / blew her nose really hard on a tissue then I swab that?

All suggestions as to how to get a test welcome, not interested in anyone who questions why I’m testing.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Frederica852 · 08/09/2021 19:29

Don't see how taking her for a PCR test will help. It's essentially the same process.

I've been through this hell one to many times. Mine melts down the minute we get anywhere near the walk in centre and flatly refused to have it done. I've decided if she needs another one I'll just do it on me instead. I'm through with traumatising her

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 08/09/2021 19:42

What does it matter if she has one or not? Do you need to know if she has flu? Do you need to know if she has RSV? If she’s sick just keep her off school regardless.

I think it’s admirable that she is able to tell an adult that she trusts that she is not happy about having any of her orifices violated without her consent. We should be teaching all young people that they have bodily autonomy and that she should not be forced to be touched somewhere she is not comfortable with.

NerdyBird · 08/09/2021 19:46

A tip for swabbing the nose is to lightly press at the top of the side you're doing, just above where the swab would go to and then it doesn't tickle as much. Worked for us. Good luck, my dd hates them too.

QuestionableMouse · 08/09/2021 19:50

The lateral flow tests I have only need a nose swab. They're not as good as a PCR but better than nothing.

You won't get an accurate result unless you follow the instructions unfortunately. I'd treat it like a dentist or GP visit - not the most pleasant thing but something that she needs to do for her health.

toomuchlaundry · 08/09/2021 19:52

@Frederica852 what is the point of doing it on yourself? Does that mean you will send DC into nursery/school potentially with COVID?

careerchangeperhaps · 08/09/2021 19:53

Absolutely book a PCR. If you faff with a lateral flow and it comes back positive, you'll have to do a PCR anyway and that means two tests (not to mention the important fact that LFTs aren't meant for symptomatic people anyway...)
You can order a PCR kit and do the test at home, or go to the centre if you think she's more likely to cooperate there.

careerchangeperhaps · 08/09/2021 19:54

@RoseStar

Fck. The govt testing site is saying there is a technical problem and they can’t confirm the appt.
We had this when we tried to book a same-day appointment later in the day. Try again with a slot for early tomorrow morning.
Pissinthepottyplease · 08/09/2021 19:55

@RoseStar

Ok great - so people have done in sleep, this is helpful! She is a good deep sleeper, don’t want to start nightmares though… but I can’t keep her home ten days. I think if she’s not done one by tomorrow I will book her a PCR and we will take her there to be done instead. She’ll hate it so much that maybe she’ll let me do one next time? I guess if it’s positive we will have to pcr anyway so maybe it skips a step?
If she has a temp then she needs a PCR trst anyway. You can order a home testing kit and do it when she is asleep.
ginsparkles · 08/09/2021 19:56

@RoseStar

Fck. The govt testing site is saying there is a technical problem and they can’t confirm the appt.
It's because it's too late to book today's appointment, try to book tomorrow am instead.

We had the same issue few weeks ago

TheOneWithTwoParties · 08/09/2021 19:57

@RoseStar

Sorry, there is a technical problem

We could not process your answers. Your details are saved, please try again.

I had this problem the other day when I was booking late in the day for the last appointments at the clinic. As soon as I changed it for the first ones the next day it worked fine. I think the site might lie about having appointments!
Viviennemary · 08/09/2021 19:58

I was told you can't go in person to a test centre if you have symptoms.

TheOneWithTwoParties · 08/09/2021 19:58

Ha, I see many people posted the same advice before me.

WhatsTheTimeMrCat · 08/09/2021 20:01

If you take her for a PCR test, make sure it’s somewhere where the staff will do it. I had to do my 6 year old DS at a drive through test centre. It was honestly one of the most traumatic experiences of my life and I only managed one nostril (and that took half an hour). Got to the point where one of the staff came over to see if everything was ok.Blush

RadioPenguin · 08/09/2021 20:02

I've physically restrained my children when they've needed testing. Not nice but 15 seconds of discomfort. Big cuddle and reassurance after.

Getoutofbed25 · 08/09/2021 20:02

She has a temperature, that’s a symptom, so she needs a PCR not LFT

Original poster
RoseStar · 08/09/2021 20:03

Ok so I booked an appt for tomorrow morning and just turned up. They were happy to have us now, massive fail on the part of DD. Flatly refused. We’ve been given a home PCR test to take back and post tomorrow. Suspect will have to engage DH to pin her down. This is awful… surely there’s an easier way for kids??

Interesting about not going to testing centre with symptoms. I put in the system that she has symptoms and it offered me a walk in centre. Temp raging towards 39 even with calpol. Fck.

OP posts:
gordongrumpy · 08/09/2021 20:04

You need to go to a testing centre with symptoms. That's what testing centres are for.

BowiesJumper · 08/09/2021 20:07

There is a private company that does spit PCR tests, you just spit in a tube. I’m surprised the nhs can’t adopt that for kids or adults with additional needs. Must be more expensive!

I hope you manage to do her nose in her sleep!

Simplelobsterhat · 08/09/2021 20:21

My 6yo ds has needed loads of tests and hates them. Always in drive through for pcr. The first time a member of staff did it and it scared the life our of him so didn't help. Every other time we've has to do it (no idea how one even books for someone else to do it these days). He gets upset as soon as swab goes near him.

We don't even try tonsils anymore as instructions say you can do 2 nostrils instead. He still hates it though! I always restrain him in car seat and list the things he won't be able to do if he has to isolate for 10 days because he hasn't tested. We usually end up doing lots of short swabs rather than 10 - 15 seconds in one go. Last time we tried him doing it on himself which was a little better although he got upset when I was nagging him to go further up.

Good luck. It's horrible isn't it. Both of us crying while I begged, 'please we need to do this or no birthday' and test centre staff stared at the commotion was not my finest moment!

QuestionableMouse · 08/09/2021 20:24

Can she tell you which bit is upsetting her?

Original poster
RoseStar · 08/09/2021 20:27

There is a private company that does spit PCR tests, you just spit in a tube. I’m surprised the nhs can’t adopt that for kids or adults with additional needs. Must be more expensive

If only!!!

Ok - so dh pinned down her arms and we managed to get a nose swab using the home PCR test they gave us.

Interestingly - the swab for the home PCR is MUCH bigger than the testing centre one (like a really big cotton bud) and therefore seemed much more comfortable / less sharp

OP posts:
KateTheEighth · 08/09/2021 20:36

Tell her you'll give her a pound for each nostril and a pound every time she sneezes

Tana433 · 08/09/2021 21:07

God, thankyou @SweetBabyCheeses99 for a modicum of common sense. Ive been reading this thread totally bewildered. The worst one i read was restraining child in a car seat and force swabbing them. I mean really wtf have we actually become? If she doesnt want to test leave her be and if she is ill, then let her stay home. A bit like we used to in the 'good old days' before all this hysterical nonsense began.

User5827372728 · 08/09/2021 21:14

He still hates it though! I always restrain him in car seat and list the things he won't be able to do if he has to isolate for 10 days because he hasn't tested. We usually end up doing lots of short swabs rather than 10 - 15 seconds in one go. Last time we tried him doing it on himself which was a little better although he got upset when I was nagging him to go further up.

Good luck. It's horrible isn't it. Both of us crying while I begged, 'please we need to do this or no birthday' and test centre staff stared at the commotion was not my finest moment!

Oh
My
Word
This sounds abusive and vile

HelloDulling · 08/09/2021 21:17

@Viviennemary

I was told you can't go in person to a test centre if you have symptoms.
The test centres are there for people who have symptoms. I know some people are now told to test as a contact, but the vast majority are people with symptoms.
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