Cant get a reading from test - DS struggling with carrying out tesr

[eleflump]

DS coughed most of the day Tuesday so we booked a test for him on Wednesday - the results came back during last night that they couldn't get a reading and to rebook.

I have just taken him again to what was advertised as a walk through but that ended up being a drive through site. It was a nightmare, he was gagging doing the test and ended up throwing up in the car. We did the test as best we could but it was so chaotic in my little car I am worried it's going to be the same result.

Is there any testing sites where someone does the test for you (probably not) or otherwise does anyone have any tips to help him carry out the test again more successfully if necessary?

He hasnt coughed since that first day but we are all trapped in now til we can get the results of the test. None of us have been tested before and so we are not sure how to advise him!

How old is he? Some sites have people who are able to test those over 11, but I am not sure how you know in advance if that is possible. For young children, you can do both nostrils rather than tonsils. I did that on my 4 year old and got a result back, despite being worried I hadn’t done it well enough!

Can you just swab both nostrils rather than doing the throat swab? I've not got the info infront of me, but seem to remember this being an option.

Hi @eleflump - I had to have my DS tested recently. It was at a walk in but one of the ones run by the NHS and staffed by nurses ( to my surprise). They told me to just do the nasal swab on my DS but to do in both nostrils ( and to do need to ensure you do it far enough back). The nurse said better to do that for a DC that may be need to be tested numerous times this winter. I’ve no idea if this is official advice though. His test came back negative.

If you can’t get a successful swab with the throat it might be worth trying that.

We had home tests on Tuesday and the instructions said if you can't get a throat swab from your child, do both nostrils instead. Put swab up till you feel resistance and twirl round 10-15 seconds in each nostril .

For home test, they suggest you put on a video for young kids to calm and distract them and when you try for a throat swab, get them to keep repeating ahhh, ahhh, ahhh as it opens up the route through. I think this was good advice as it does allow you to get to the right place and get a couple of sweeps before they start gagging.

Btw, DS is 15 but he wouldn't do it himself.
There will be gagging

Should perhaps have said he is 15 but with a bad gag reflex!!!!

15!! Lol. Can he not just do it himself?!

He did it himself but gagged and threw up - hence my post!!!