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Children's health

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Original poster

GP wants baby to have covid test before she'll see him

66 replies

QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:32

DS is on day 5 of vomiting bug. Very lethargic. Signs of dehydration. Also has a cough. GP refusing to see him without a covid test first. Is this normal??

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 02/05/2023 10:33

If you want to see the gP do the test.

FrenchandSaunders · 02/05/2023 10:35

Doc or grandparent?
Either way it's madness, but particulary if it's the doctor

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:37

The doctor!

OP posts:
35965a · 02/05/2023 10:38

In the UK it’s not normal, no.

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:41

I am in uk

OP posts:
Sugarfree23 · 02/05/2023 10:43

I don't think it's standard but you don't know what underlying conditions the GP may have.

Phos · 02/05/2023 10:44

Seems a bit OTT - have you questioned why she is demanding this?

Skybluepinky · 02/05/2023 10:46

They probably have underlying health conditions or live with someone who does, if u want yr child to see the GP take the test, ours won’t see anyone showing symptoms that could be covid without them taking a test.

HeidiUpTheMountain · 02/05/2023 10:47

Covid is more infectious than a cold or flu, so it’s to ensure that it doesn’t run through all the doctors and there’s nobody there to see your ill child.

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:50

She seemed a bit taken aback when I said I have enough on my plate without trying to drag my sick baby to a chemist to buy lateral flow tests. Said oh but it could be covid. Anyone ever tried to give a 12 month old a covid test on their own before!

Fair enough @Sugarfree23 and @Skybluepinky but what about all the other flus and illnesses etc going around. I have an underlying health condition myself and see patients at work.
Just don't think it's a priority in this situation. Give it to another GP to see.

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:50

@HeidiUpTheMountain it really isn't more infectious

OP posts:
Pinkgrass · 02/05/2023 10:51

Doesn't sound normal no

eurochick · 02/05/2023 10:53

I thought the recommendation was not to test children anymore?

StopGo · 02/05/2023 10:54

So what happens if the test is positive? The baby is still unwell with a cough and dehydration. Will the doctor not treat the child?

Choconuttolata · 02/05/2023 10:54

Honestly after day 5 of vomiting I would take your baby to A&E if they are lethargic and showing signs of dehydration. GP won't be able to give them IV fluids if required and will send them there anyway. A&E won't require a Covid test before seeing them.

mrsfennel · 02/05/2023 10:54

I dont think thats normal. If someone has such a bad underlying condition (transplant, chemo etc) then surely they would isolating at home.

I supported lockdowns and vaccines and testing, but in the current climate I think its odd. Surely she could get covid or flu walking into a supermarket or from the receptionist at the surgery etc

Original poster
QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:54

Spent an hour trying to get through to doctors this morning and now looks like I'll spend another hour trying to ring back

OP posts:
MoreThanFriends · 02/05/2023 10:55

Our doctors insist on a COVID test. When my son was at an appointment last month, they said rates are high and apparently twice in the last 6 months, most of the doctors at the surgery had gone down with it within a few days of each other so that’s why they insisted on testing.

EmmaEmerald · 02/05/2023 10:56

QueenLagertha · 02/05/2023 10:54

Spent an hour trying to get through to doctors this morning and now looks like I'll spend another hour trying to ring back

I don't suppose you have a walk in? Poor baby.

A&E might be quiet, a dehydrating baby might be a case but I'm not a parent so might be overly worried.

mrsfennel · 02/05/2023 10:56

I dont have kids but if your child is lethargic and its been 5 days I would take them to hospital or at least ring 111.

WeWereInParis · 02/05/2023 10:59

There is no point doing a covid test on a 12 month old anyway really. I had to do a couple on DD1 when she was around that age. It's basically impossible, particularly if you're on your own, to get it up the nose the right amount and twiddle it round for long enough. We did them because we had to but I can't believe any would have picked up covid if she had it.

Musicaltheatremum · 02/05/2023 11:02

Ridiculous. If baby is ill they need seen. We need to stop using COVID as an excuse not to see people. (I'm a GP)

Shopper727 · 02/05/2023 11:03

How old is your baby? I’d be concerned at this surely the dr can mask/glove up check baby over and refer on if needed or send home with advice otherwise? Even through lockdowns/height of the pandemic it was advised to bring young kids and babies to be checked over as they compensate for a long time before they become very unwell.

take your baby to a&e op, if you’re worried my son was in paeds ward for a week recently with a respiratory virus which triggered asthma attack they didn’t test him at all. We’ve also never had to test prior to gp appointments for him.

Robinni · 02/05/2023 11:07

I think this would be standard practice if baby has a cough and gastro issues. Probably anyone presenting as this would have to test before visiting the practice.

Snoken · 02/05/2023 11:09

Your baby's symptoms are the same as many have when they have covid, so I guess it would good to rule it out. MY DS's symptoms were basically gastric flu.