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Original poster

Hypothetical - but I don’t want to put my girls through the Covid test

66 replies

Elemenopeeee · 06/09/2020 00:58

They are 5 and 3. We are in Scotland so been back at school/nursery for a few weeks now.

Usual colds etc doing the rounds. We have avoided it so far (touch wood). A few of their friends have had the Covid test (all negative) and parents have said it was horrific, distressing, an ordeal etc.

I have no qualms about having it myself but I hate the idea of putting them through it.

Does anyone else share this? Or can anyone put my mind at rest about it?

OP posts:
ButterfliesFlyingBy · 06/09/2020 07:57

My 3 year old was fine and I didn’t have to hold him down. I explained what would happen, said it would be over quickly, distracted with a video on my phone and handed over some chocolate straight afterwards. He didn’t mind the throat but complained the nose was tickly. Useful to have the other parent there to help distract if possible and especially the first test when you are reading the instructions. I know some kids find it harder (or are feeling more poorly on the day and it probably feels more unpleasant) but hopefully yours will be fine!

PrivateD00r · 06/09/2020 07:58

@Elemenopeeee

So if they have symptoms I could in theory isolate us all for 14 days? Do they not need the data? I mean I want to do the right thing but if isolating for 14 days is acceptable then maybe. We both work from home so that wouldn’t be an issue but the school absence is not ideal either Sad
Their data is not your problem. If you are happy to isolate, that is totally acceptable. However please make sure it is 14 days from the onset of symptoms in the last family member to get sick, so it may run on more than 14 days. An alternative is, if you or DH end up with the same symptoms, you could get tested yourselves. One of my DC will definitely not tolerate the test and I am hoping if they get sick, that someone else in the family will too who can be tested instead. I am not sure though if technically everyone in the household with symptoms needs a test, I will find that out of and when it comes up!
PrivateD00r · 06/09/2020 08:00

@year5teacher

I suppose it’s whether you’d rather they had the brief unpleasantness of the test, or the consequence of you and them self isolating for 14 days every time they get a cold.

I don’t have children so I can’t sit here and say what you should do, but if they risk keeping having to miss two weeks of school/nursery then that isn’t really fair on them.

It wouldn't be every time they get a cold though. Only when they present with the 3 main symptoms which actually don't always accompany a cold. I know there is a heavy cold doing the rounds at the minute that has led many to have a cough, but that isn't the most common cold symptom, so shouldn't be a persistent issue for families all winter.
Etinox · 06/09/2020 08:02

@SheepandCow

You never know, they might like it. Everyone's different including children. And, lots of kids are always sticking things up their noses... I still remember a boy at primary school who had to go to hospital because he stuck some lego so far up his nose it got stuck!
Grin Taking positivity to the max!
uglyface · 06/09/2020 08:02

Has anyone had any luck with an almost two year old and testing? I’m a primary teacher and she goes to nursery once a week so quite likely we will have to have her tested at some point....obviously she won’t understand, so I’m guessing best bet is to just pin them down in their car seat.

Christmas1935 · 06/09/2020 08:03

It’s really not that bad.

However you don’t need to do the throat swab, just both nostrils in kids, but not everyone is being told this.

My 3 kids have been tested once (age 3-9) and are going again today.

It’s a 5 minute job and my kids weren’t fans of it, but if you stay calm and matter of fact it will be easier on them.

Heartofstrings · 06/09/2020 08:07

Those of you saying your 3 year old was fine. Remember some are more prone to the dramatics than others. My three year old found it very distressing

year5teacher · 06/09/2020 08:08

@PrivateD00r sorry, I meant cough, not cold. Just woken up!

I worked in EYFS for years and kids were forever coming in with coughs, parents saying they had a temperature in the night and they’ve given calpol etc (totally fine). All those things will still be going round reception and nurseries, and it’s likely that young children especially will pick them up.

I’m just saying I don’t think it’s really fair to risk pulling your children out for two weeks at a time, probably more than once. I think it’s unnecessarily disruptive. But I’m not a parent, so what I say about this should be taken with a pinch of salt.

BlowingmyJets · 06/09/2020 08:08

My dd 12 was given the kit and did it herself. Dh for hospital had it done too him and it hurt.

MsKeats · 06/09/2020 08:09

I did the nasal swab on my youngest and they were fine. Not stressing at all. Get them to do it on your first. The old "monkey see, monkey do"

MrBucket · 06/09/2020 08:44

“ Has anyone had any luck with an almost two year old and testing? I’m a primary teacher and she goes to nursery once a week so quite likely we will have to have her tested at some point....obviously she won’t understand, so I’m guessing best bet is to just pin them down in their car seat.”

It still needed two of us with my just 2yo even in his car seat - one to hold his head still whilst the other did the swab. My toddler isn’t the least bit “dramatic” but he wasn’t feeling well and had a swab shoved a long way up his nose for ten seconds each side and he wasn’t happy about it. I was calm and explained as much as possible for his age and stage, but he was unwell and unhappy. He was ok afterwards with a cuddle.

Camomila · 06/09/2020 08:52

If you go to a drive through testing place you might not need to hold them down as they'll be strapped in the carseat.
DS1 (4) said "ow" and then asked for his sweets. DS2 (7m) cried while I did it and then immediately stopped when I gave him a carrot puff.

Much better than being stuck indoors for 2 weeks/missing school for 2 weeks.

ClarencesMum · 06/09/2020 08:56

I have a friend who works on testing and has been in tears at the number of children she has has to teat over the last 2 weeks due to totally normal back to school sniffles. It is barbaric. I'd avoid at all costs.

NerrSnerr · 06/09/2020 10:55

I'd avoid at all costs.

Will employers allow multiple fortnights off work because parents won't get their children tested? I know many are still WFH but there are a lot working out of the home too.

Keepdistance · 06/09/2020 11:00

If the kids are at preschool or school. No it isnt really acceptable to not test.
As the class continuss with possibly more and more infected kids. Dont forget shielded teachers kids parents are back and facing fines.
Wouldnt you want to know so the class stops or you dont go and visit the grandparents etc.

magnarocks · 06/09/2020 11:11

It's really not that bad, it's essentially a cotton bud being put in their nostrils and twissled around for a few seconds. I'd say blood tests, vaccinations, even a dental examination could be considered far more traumatic for the majority.

My three year old wasn't v impressed but settled quickly after (helped by chocolate buttons) and I'm sure would much prefer this than staying at home with no trips out or social interaction with anyone outside the home for two weeks.

MrBucket · 06/09/2020 12:13

Well I’m on maternity leave, so I do have more of a choice about self isolation than others. But lockdown with a newborn and toddler took me to the brink of PND so I suspect I will choose to test my poor toddler if it happens again rather than self isolate for two weeks without testing

StealthPolarBear · 06/09/2020 12:16

Has the guidance changed again? I thought you only needed to isole for seven days from the onset of symptoms?

StealthPolarBear · 06/09/2020 12:17

Why can I not quote people on this thread? I was trying to reply but the quote thing seems to be greyed out.

OverTheRainbow88 · 06/09/2020 12:18

They aren’t great no going to lie but it’s 20sec, 10 in nose and 10 in throat! You could also just do the nose. Also alternately you don’t do the tests and stay home for 2 weeks.

OverTheRainbow88 · 06/09/2020 12:21

@StealthPolarBear

That’s the first in the family with the symptoms.

The rest of the family is 2 weeks

MrBucket · 06/09/2020 12:22

I only did the nose because as I said, my son would vomit if I did his throat (he has done so on several occasions with tongue depressors). It was still pretty upsetting for him. He’s had worse medical procedures, yes, but I think it’s normal for parents to think twice before they subject their children to tests like this.

StealthPolarBear · 06/09/2020 12:24

I thouhht it was 14 days from the onset of the first symptoms in the family, and if you go on to get ill it might be shorter if you feel better after seven days. Could be wrong.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 06/09/2020 12:25

For what its worth OP my 3yr old had to have a test a few weeks ago, i ordered tests to do at home for her and me and we spoke about how it would be done and how it didnt hurt all day, she got to stay up later than her siblings to do the test so we played board games and watched a film until we could do the test at 9.30pm then i sat her on the kitchen side and she watched me do mine then did hers, had an ice lolly for being brave and went to bed. She still tells everyone about the fun night she had staying up late with mummy.

RedCatBlueCat · 06/09/2020 12:29

@StealthPolarBear they upped the 7 days from start of symptoms for first person in the household to 10 days a few weeks ago. It's still 14 days for the rest of the household.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

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