Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

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

Original poster

What to do if child has phobia and unable to do Covid test

60 replies

LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 17:18

My teen has a phobia of injections, he's recently started CBT therapy for this. He's talked about generalised fears of medical procedures, so I suspected that if he came down with Covid we'd have an issue getting him to do the test.

He's off school, last two days he's had a sore throat, his temperature has risen but hasn't been high. Until this afternoon when it went up to 38.2 for a short time, but it is now back to 37.9.

He doesn't have any other symptoms of Covid. His sore throat isn't as bad now, he just feels a bit off colour. When his temp went high he felt rough but now it's settled he's not as bad.

It could just be a cold or flu, but I thought we ought to do the right thing so tried to book a test for him. But he's too frightened to have the test and the very idea of it has caused a major mental health episode for him.

Not sure what to do in this situation. Any advice?

OP posts:
Lancelottie · 20/11/2020 17:20

I'd say you have to assume that he does have Covid and isolate accordingly.

(To be honest, the tests we too were so slow to get results that we'd nearly finished the isolation period anyway.)

PotteringAlong · 20/11/2020 17:20

You self isolate for 14 days just in case.

HeddaGarbled · 20/11/2020 17:23

Agree, he’ll have to isolate every time he gets symptoms.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 20/11/2020 17:23

Yep, unless willing to take a test you have to isolate for the next 14 days

CatchingWind · 20/11/2020 17:26

I agree, you have to act as though he's positive and everyone in the household needs to isolate for 14 days. Was he off school anyway? They would have to ask others to self isolate if he has had contact within the past 48 hours. I hope he's ok and doesn't get too poorly!

GetAMoveOnTroodon · 20/11/2020 17:28

Why don’t you book a home test for him and then he can see it and possibly do it himself if he feels up to it? Then there’s no pressure of being at a testing centre?

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 17:31

Thanks everyone. Good idea to book home test, that might be more doable.

My husband is a teacher - I'm not sure if he is allowed to isolate unless there's a positive test from someone at home but I'm not sure, I'll ask him to ask his manager.

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 20/11/2020 17:32

What about the covid test is he scared of ? I had one and it was swabs

V quick and no needles involved I would just tell him this is something to make sure nothing else worse & it is very quick and painless . I do feel sorry for him if this has caused major mental health issues , but may be just say - lots pf people have it - not painful , just count and afterwards a lovely cup of tea or whatever.

Bramblespoint · 20/11/2020 17:35

You all have to isolate if he has symptoms. It's not up to your husbands manager. If he's a teacher they really should be following government advice.

Maybe order a home test. No pressure you could see if he can do it and if not you'll all be isolating for 14 days it's they only thing you can do.

BasiliskStare · 20/11/2020 17:36

@LimeLemonOrange - good suggestions , but honestly the test is not bad and very very quick. I would be tempted to have the test at a centre rather than at home - I suspect the home tests are somewhat easier because at home but then not so much as more faffing about. The swab test IME was 30 seconds and yes a swab on your tongue & nostrils but honestly - more a bit surprising than painful

Hope he is Ok and just my opinion

CatchingWind · 20/11/2020 17:37

@LimeLemonOrange

Thanks everyone. Good idea to book home test, that might be more doable.

My husband is a teacher - I'm not sure if he is allowed to isolate unless there's a positive test from someone at home but I'm not sure, I'll ask him to ask his manager.

If someone at home has symptoms he has to isolate until a negative result is supplied. If your son can't be tested, he has to stay off for the full 14 days. Your husband's manager should follow guidance and his should be his response. (From a teacher)
CatchingWind · 20/11/2020 17:38

To be clear, he would need to isolate until a negative result is supplied or, if a test result is positive, for 14 days from start of infected persons symptoms.

Skyla2005 · 20/11/2020 17:40

If he won’t do a test you need to isolate 14 days

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 17:41

I've had a home test and have told him it's not hard or painful.

Unfortunately some of his friends have had tests and told him it hurts.

He knows exactly what the test involves but his phobia is taking over and making him think irrationally. He's very frustrated with himself for being unable to do the test. He's calmed now but got into a bad state earlier mainly frustrated that he wanted the test but knew he wouldn't be able to let the nurse poke the thing up his nose.

OP posts:
Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 17:41

Thanks CatchingWind

OP posts:
ZolaGrey · 20/11/2020 17:44

Phobias/trauma/ptsd towards certain (or all) medical procedures aren't able to respond and reason with things like "it's not painful/it'll be over in 30 seconds/we can have takeaway afterwards" etc unfortunately, and pushing him may make it worse/cause a lot of damage.

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 17:48

Good point ZolaGrey

I'm already feeling that even raising it has set his confidence back - he was doing well in his recent CBT sessions.

OP posts:
SingANewSongChickenTikka · 20/11/2020 17:48

As he’s had symptoms you will need to isolate as a household until either he gets a negative test, or for 14 days. Good idea above to try to do a home test if he can, less pressure etc

Hugosmugo · 20/11/2020 17:54

I really sympathise. The tests aren't that bad but im a grown adult and it made me gag. So a teen with a phobia isn't going to find it pleasant. If he won't take the test then I'm afraid you all now need to isolate. 10 days for him, 14 for the rest of you.

itsgettingweird · 20/11/2020 18:01

Sore throat and temp can be symptoms.

I'd order a test and just say to him he'll have to isolate for 10 days but the test is there if he wants to have a go.

My son has anxiety. He can often overcome it (after cbt) if he's just given the facts and left to make a decision himself.

NerrSnerr · 20/11/2020 18:04

My husband is a teacher - I'm not sure if he is allowed to isolate unless there's a positive test from someone at home but I'm not sure, I'll ask him to ask his manager.

It's nothing to do with his manager. It's government rules that if someone has symptoms in the household everyone isolates until a negative test or after the isolation period.

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 18:07

Husband is now questioning whether the high temp has to be sustained. DSs temp spiked to 38.2 for a short time, then went back down.

The NHS website doesn't deal in nuances like 'how long do you have to have a temp'.

I've told husband to phone 111 for guidance if he's unsure but if anyone has any thoughts on this...

OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 20/11/2020 18:08

Speaking as someone who has medical phobias I think the worst thing you can do is try to force him in any way. It could really damage your relationship with him if you did. You can't reason with phobias - they're irrational. If CBT is helping that's great, but it has to be the long, slow route for some of us. The more someone tries to push me towards doing something I'm scared of, the more I want to run at speed in the opposite direction!

HopeAndDriftWood · 20/11/2020 18:09

Would he be able to do it himself?

They’ll allow that near me, as long as the nurse supervises to make sure that it’s done correctly. It was like that for my private test too. It makes it a bit easier!

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 18:09

Thanks NerrSnerr - I've read the online guidance more slowly now I'm not stressing and have a better grip on the rules.

I was thinking it'd be weird for us to not isolate until test results came back, so the isolate until negative test makes much more sense.

OP posts: