How to get my child tested for COVID if no classic symptoms?

[diamondwhiteisclassy]

My 15 yr old son had an awful headache on Saturday. He was then fine after a sleep.
No cough, no temp.
Today woke up for school but said he's so tired so I kept him off. He has gcse mocks so thought maybe wanted day to study.
He's just so lethargic though. Even after resting all day. No other symptoms.
Looked at booking him test but says he doesn't qualify?

Lie. That's what everyone else is doing.

Kids don't generally get the main symptoms that would qualify them for a test.

My son had a headache and a sore throat and took himself off to bed which he never does. When we found out he sat next to the kid who has tested positive, we got him tested. I said he had one of the three main symptoms. I’m glad I did as he came back positive and we all consequently caught it.
My husband and I were quite poorly.
Trust your instincts I say. Kids don’t always present with one of the three main symptoms. That’s why this lockdown is pointless without more testing of kids/symptoms that aren’t “typical” of covid.

My child has been sick this evening and I'm considering getting them a test too

Yeh you have to lie on the on line questions. My friend works on the phone line and thats what she told me to do. So many children are testing positive without the 3 main symptoms.

Just lie. Everyone is.

It’s so ridiculous that they stick to the three main adult symptoms when asking about children. Lots of children I know who have tested positive didn’t show any of the main three symptoms.

There are any number of viruses that can make someone tired and have a headache. Testing capacity is not at a level where everyone with any ailment can be tested. Don’t lie to to get a test, it removes capacity for those who have symptoms of Covid and MUST be tested.

Three people I know personally who have all tested positive in recent weeks have lied. They felt absolutely awful and it felt different to illnesses they've had in the past.

Often they dont get the 3 main symptoms

Lie because children frequently have other symptoms.

Headache and fatigue would definitely trigger a test in a child if the government were even remotely competent. It's not wasting a test, it's using it correctly where there is a suspicion of covid.

Thanks for this. I didn't know if I would get questioned at testing centre and turned away. Weirdly any other year you just think he had a bug!

Most of the people who’ve tested positive in the Covid area of the forum said it started with a headache. I think it should be one of the main symptoms. Especially in younger people where they tend to have less severe symptoms. We need to test more, not less people, even if they don’t fit the narrow banding of symptoms.

@realitybites1

There are any number of viruses that can make someone tired and have a headache. Testing capacity is not at a level where everyone with any ailment can be tested. Don’t lie to to get a test, it removes capacity for those who have symptoms of Covid and MUST be tested.

Testing capacity would be much higher if who did have one of the most common symptoms (which are actually fatigue and headache) were tested and identified so that they isolated and stopped spreading it, rather than given a false sense of security that they didn't have one of the magic 3 less common symptoms, don't you think?!

I would lie- fatigue is a really common symptom in teens (and everyone actually).

If questioned at the test centre just say he had a temperature last night, but AFIAK, they won't turn you away once the test is booked.

Maybe just make him aware he needs to lie if questioned at the test centre too.

And actually there is plenty of capacity.

This is the problem with the failure of test and trace in september- they have done such a number on hammering it into people that they shouldn't get tested without the three chosen symptoms, and set people against each other on that, that people who are positive aren't getting tested and are spreading it further when there is much more capacity than is being used.

Hiya we took our little boy who is 2yo for a drive through test...u just book the test online and u don't get asked any questions when u go for the test...I would take him especially with the head ache xx

Can I ask what kind of headache he had? My 12 year old has just taken himself to bed with his first ever headache. He says it hurts behind his right eye. Really hoping it’s nothing nasty.

Yes if you go through a drive through you don’t get asked anything just have to show your code and listen to instructions.

From my experience of drive in testing they really don't want to talk to you. I had to keep the window firmly closed at all times and when handing the test back I had to reach over to the passenger side crack the window open the tiniest amount and they had a box waiting to catch the test at arms length!

If you are going to lie to get a test I assume that your household is isolating and will do so until he gets a negative result?

Get one online. Nobody can see you lie.

@Ffsnosexallowed

If you are going to lie to get a test I assume that your household is isolating and will do so until he gets a negative result?

Quite.

My dd only had a cough and we got her tested yesterday. No where did it ask to describe her symptoms. So they are for one of the main three, but if he seems flu-ish just tick yes.