Not sure if 3 y o DS needs a test

[BetsyBoo100]

My 3 year old DS has a cough. He is probably coughing every 3 mins or so but it doesn't last long. He sounds very mucousy - last night he woke up crying and it sounded like the mucous was at the back of his throat. No temperature and eating fine. Looking at NHS website I'm not sure he needs a test? Sounds like the common cold and doesn't have the classic temperature. However, not sure whether to get test to be on the safe side. Can anyone help me decide what to do? Everyone else in household is fine (my DH and 1 year old DS)

I would test. Otherwise you will just have that niggle in the back of your mind.

I do agree it’s really hard to judge. Last week, I felt like I had a mediocre cold, mega sore throat & sinuses, congested, dizzy .. I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid normally. But I had a couple medical appointments this week & decided I wouldn’t want to risk passing it on! So I went & got tested. Was negative so I’ve continued about my life knowing I’m not infecting anyone!

Do you have any plans over the next few days? If not, you could stay at home & see how it develops. If you do, I’d get a test given it’s a cough. Better to safe as coughing is a symptom.

It’s going to be a nightmare in winter isn’t it?!

I think the government advice is quite clear- if anyone has a cough, the household should isolate and get a test.
That’s how to know, rather than guess, and prevent spread.

... and yes, it’s a nightmare, particularly with young kids- but that’s where we are, I think.
I suspect autumn term will be a nightmare.

He’s got a new cough so yes you should get him a test, and isolate as a household.

My DD had same syptpms, rang 119 and they're sending out a test. You have to have the test within 5 days of symptoms starting or you have to go through the whole isolation period. Hope he gets well soon x