HELP. Asd son needs test before surgery

[Whydididothatfuckingthing]

Hi,

My 8 year old needs a coronavirus test before he can be admitted for surgery. He has asd and sensory issues. If we go to.a drive through test site do the staff collect the sample?
Also Ive read that the swabs are taken from the tonsils and up the nose. - he’s had his tonsils out aged 3 and I’ve got no chance of getting anything up his nose.
Anyone had the same? Any tips? If we have an inconclusive result are they likely to cancel the surgery?
Thanks in advance.

Staff collect. Swab usually up nose& through mouth to back of throat. There are some great social stories/ visuals online about testing process that might help him. I know www.HSE.ie have some around getting ready to go to the test centre.

That’s really helpful thank you.

Double check if you can if it is a self testing site or assisted site before you go. I took dd to a self testing site yesterday and I couldn't do the test properly, couldn't swab her throat properly.

Had to come home and rebook another appointment. Managed to get another one for the afternoon at Edinburgh Airport where it was an assisted site. Nurse struggled to swab dd's throat as she kept gagging. Dd did say the nose swab was absolutely fine. Patiently awaiting the results.

At some drive through tests you have to do the test yourself (and without getting out of the car). I haven't had to do it but have read on here that that has happened to some people. So might be an idea to check what the policy is at your test centre.

Brilliant thanks everyone. I’m just waiting for a call from nurse to book the appointment.

Do the hospital the operation is being held at not do the test as part of the pre op?

I suspect it will be assisted since it is for surgery. Good luck

@Queenfreak

Do the hospital the operation is being held at not do the test as part of the pre op?

Hi, no it’s day surgery so he has to go to a testing site 2 days before. I’ve been told somebody will call to book him in. He as booked in for surgery in March which was cancelled the day before, it’s typical that the appointment has been arranged for a week after he starts back at school!

@PrivateD00r

I suspect it will be assisted since it is for surgery. Good luck

Thank you! 😊