Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

What does the test actually involve?

25 replies

Lemons1571 · 27/08/2020 08:26

I just want to be prepared for the autumn term but I can’t find any info in exactly what the testing procedure involves. Are you allowed to get out of the car? I’m not agile enough to clamber into the back seat. Does a 9 yo need a throat swab or just nose? How do you know if you’ve pushed it in far enough? Do you have to turn off the dash cam (why?). What other difficulties are there with testing centres?

I’d just like some info before we get to the point of trying to fit in a test after school when everyone’s tired and ratty, and I’m trying to get to grips with it all and losing the will to live!

OP posts:

yummychoccy · 27/08/2020 08:51

I wasn't allowed to get out of car at any of the (3) testing centres I have been to so far. They are strict about this. I had to climb into backseat to do my toddler, with difficulty! I guess you could ask them when you get there for a solution if you're not able to do this.

Throat and nose swabs are advised. Just for babies and toddlers they're letting you just do nose if they won't tolerate the throat. I imagine for a 9yo it should be throat too unless they can't manage.

There is an instruction leaflet with the test so you can spend as much time as you need reading that. It tells you how far to push in etc

Flagsfiend · 27/08/2020 10:04

I imagine a 9 year old might be able to climb through to the front of the car, so that might be a solution to that problem. Or you could travel with child in front seat of car, particularly if the centre isn't far away. Make sure you disable air bags if for a rear facing child seat (obviously this isn't relevant for a 9 year old), regardless put the seat as far back as it will go and fit their car seat securely. I would probably get them to climb through if they are able to, but this may be an option if they aren't. You could investigate now if they can climb through and check you are able to get them strapped in again from the front of the car.

Ginfordinner · 27/08/2020 10:07

Order some postal tests instead.

When you get them you need to register online, take a throat swab and a nose swab. Post them back, and you will be notified by text and email. Ours took 27 hours from the time of posting until we got the results.

Lindy2 · 27/08/2020 10:32

There's no getting out of the car. At one centre I've been to I was asked to wind the window down a little to speak. At another a phone number was held up and I dialled that to speak to the person outside the car.

When I took my 9 year old for a test I drove with her as a front seat passenger. For children under 12 you have to do the test on them even if the centre swabs adults rather than self tests. Alternatively you could climb over the seats to get in the back of the car to do it or take another adult with you who is sitting in the back to do the test on the child.

The test is actually much more straightforward than a lot of people are making out. It's a bit fiddly and a bit strange/uncomfortable for a few seconds but really not worth all the fuss that some are making.

Swab the back of your throat for upto 10 seconds. Stick it up your nose and twiddle it about a bit. Job done.

On my 9 year old I focused on doing a good nose swab because she was too fidgety to do the throat well.

My 12 year old was selected for a random home test and despite having ADHD and ASD and hating medical procedures, she did the test on herself perfectly. (I was amazed!).

There's no filming or photos of any kind in the test centres so no dash cam allowed. You could be filming the people in the other cars and of course they must be given medical confidentiality. It's engines off too whilst you do the test.

Hope that helps.

DamitJanet · 27/08/2020 10:52

I found this NHS video quite useful before I went.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=zCqo7MhQT6U

No cameras allowed in the tea sites which is why dash cams have to go off. Not sure if that’s because they don’t want their processes filmed, or for the privacy of those being tested. You’re not allowed out the car so you have to lean/clamber overseas if you’re testing children in the back.

DamitJanet · 27/08/2020 10:53

Test sites

DamitJanet · 27/08/2020 10:53

Over seats not overseas....

Original poster

Lemons1571 · 27/08/2020 11:07

Thank you this is really helpful. So is it all diy now or do adults get the test done by test centre staff?

I wonder what the difference is between negative and inconclusive? The number of cells on the swab?

OP posts:

lurker101 · 27/08/2020 11:11

I think the difference between negative and inconclusive is inconclusive means they have reason to believe the swab has been contaminated/damaged. The instructions are very clear on not touching your tongue/fabric/anything else before putting it in the specimen tube. So if the swab arrived with for example fluff on it/the specimen tube incorrectly sealed I believe it would still be tested in case of a positive value, but would be recorded as inconclusive (if perceived negative) in case Covid cells had been “wiped” off if that makes sense

Ginfordinner · 27/08/2020 11:46

Just get postal tests. Much less time consuming.

Ginfordinner · 27/08/2020 11:46

And do watch the video first. It is really helpful.

Stinkyjellycat · 27/08/2020 11:48

Top tip - do the swan in your right nostril, not the left. Our left sides are always more painful. Several doctors have told me this and swabbing wax definitely more comfortable when I did it on the right (I’ve had a few tests).

Original poster

Lemons1571 · 27/08/2020 12:32

Just watched the video. So you use the same swab for mouth then nose? Sounds a bit yucky. Why do the government count one swab stick as two tests?

What if the swab touches something it shouldn’t (like the car seat) - do the test people give you a new one?

Will the courier wait while you do it?

OP posts:

Namechangr9000 · 27/08/2020 12:40

I took my 10 year old, they sat in the front seat. It was diy for me and I did the test for them. It's not great but over in a minute and there are clear instructions what to do. I had to have several goes doing it myself as i couldnt do 10-15 seconds inone go without gagging....but it must have been enough as got a result (negative)
You basically do throat, nose then put in a pot and seal it, then put in a bioharzard bag

Augustbreeze · 27/08/2020 12:43

Well done for thinking ahead, I wish more people were like you @Lemons1571!

It seems all test centres are DIY, but I've found you get much more advice and support ( especially if you request it when you arrive) at walk in centres than drive through. The big advantage over postal tests is that you often get results within 24 hours.

PrivateD00r · 27/08/2020 12:49

OP I understand you are curious but I would honestly wait until if or when you need to attend - procedures vary between sites. Best to wait and follow the correct procedure at the site you attend. We have been through the process twice now and procedure was different both times despite being the same site. We are lucky to have access to an attended site so no self testing for us, wait and see what happens if and when it comes up

Ginfordinner · 27/08/2020 12:56

You do your mouth first, not your nose. I don't understand your reluctance to get postal tests. Much less hassle.

Stinkyjellycat · 27/08/2020 13:15

It’s really very straightforward when you go to a drive-in. All the instructions are given to you and are easy to follow if you speak English (and it sounds like you do!). Try not to worry, it’s very easy and I got my results in less than 24 hours.

Lindy2 · 27/08/2020 14:42

We have a test centres nearby that gives you the option of DIY or them doing it for you. It has NHS or army medics doing the tests through car windows. I guess each location is different.

If you do a home test you have to do it early in the morning before the courier arrives. It needs to be done and packaged ready for the return before it is collected.

Original poster

Lemons1571 · 27/08/2020 17:05

@PrivateD00r just good to have some sort of idea what it’s all about. I anticipate having to do this if a bubble pops or if t&t request is to, when everyone’s tired and kids keep asking what will happen, what’s it like etc etc.

OP posts:

pourmeanotherglass · 27/08/2020 17:48

I filled in a form for a test this morning, then got a call back to say they would come to me and do it on the doorstep. They did the swab for me, Im now waiting for the results.

Augustbreeze · 27/08/2020 18:05

@pourmeanotherglass so you must be in a high risk area?

pourmeanotherglass · 27/08/2020 18:07

@Augustbreeze no but i work for the nhs ( not patient facing) and booked through work.

AlwaysLonely · 27/08/2020 18:10

We went for tests in a walk in centre. Basically a gazebo. Sectioned off inside. Went in and given a test posted through a little gap. Taken to a sectioned off bit with a table, mirror and instructions pinned to the 'wall'

It was explained quite clearly how to do the test and then we posted it on the way out of the gazebo.

Test isn't fun! My kids really struggled esp as you need to swab the back of your throat for 10 seconds and then quite far up your nose, with the same swab for another 8-10 seconds!

Ginfordinner · 27/08/2020 18:50

If you do a home test you have to do it early in the morning before the courier arrives. It needs to be done and packaged ready for the return before it is collected.

We did a test last week. It was all done by post, no courier. We just posted the tests in our nearest letterbox. It was really straightforward. If we need to do another test we will do it this way again.

Flip