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

Sorry to hear you suffer those phobias too CrunchyCarrot.

Have you managed to overcome them with CBT?

OP posts:
DigitalChristmas · 20/11/2020 18:17

Hi op, the temp going back to 37.9 still counts as a fever for the purpose of covid testing and isolation protocols. The bottom line is a fever indicates he’s fighting an infection of some form we just don’t know what. In the judicial system it’s innocent until proven guilty in the case of covid it’s positive until proven negative. Frustrating yes, but necessary to protect the wider population.

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

Thanks DigitalChristmas, well articulated. That will help persuade my husband!

Ok so we're all self-isolating for 14 days. I've ordered a home test and if he can manage it, great, if not, fine, we'll continue the isolation period.

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 20/11/2020 18:24

Ah @LimeLemonOrange - my post was meant to be helpful in that the test is not painful - but I see the point about a phobia - I would just ask can you do it well enough at home to do the right test,

Other than that I apologise for - get it done it done quickly and lovely cup of tea or treat afterward. Of course if very scary - that does not help.

Whichever way - I wish you and Ds well

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 20/11/2020 18:25

What happens to his class/close contacts if he won’t test but actually does have it?

Racoonworld · 20/11/2020 18:25

That’s great you’re following the rules and isolating. Just to add I have a severe needle phobia, and has to have a test recently. There is no way I could do it myself, that thought is way worse as I can’t make myself do something like that. I did manage to let hospital staff do it. If you want him to do the test you might be better to book a drive through test and don’t tell him until an hour before. It’s often the build up which is way worse than the actual procedure so if you don’t give him time to get worked up about it you may find he will let someone else do it for him.

sd249 · 20/11/2020 18:25

@LimeLemonOrange

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...

Please don't do this.

Child in my school spiked a temp and had a sore throat. Parents took for a COVID test on the Sunday (temp was Sat)

On Monday, child was totally fine so they sent to school.

Tuesday morning positive result came back and 240 children had to go home, two vulnerable members of staff had been exposed and 3 other students caught it...

If he has ANY symptoms you ALL need to isolate until either a negative test or 14 days since first symptoms.

Bramblespoint · 20/11/2020 18:39

@sd249

I can't believe people actually do this! If they'd taken child for a test there just have been some suspicion and then to send them back to school ffs.

Op hope you get on ok test or no test and that DS feels better really quickly

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 19:03

No need to apologise at all @BasiliskStare Smile

IceCreamAndCandyFloss I'll message the school now to let them know the situation.

sd249 don't worry I won't send him to school until he either has a negative test or 14 days has elapsed.

Raccoonworld he's quite relaxed about the idea of a home test, and thinks he can do it, but we've told him there's no pressure and it's up to him.

Thanks for all the posts and support, you've been a huge help, now we've told him the guidance says we all have to isolate for 14 days because he's showing symptoms he's calm and happy.

For some insane reason we all illogically thought we needed the proof of a positive test to isolate, which was putting pressure on him to have the test.

OP posts:
AlwaysLatte · 20/11/2020 19:07

Self isolate for 14 days then he won't need to have one?

itsgettingweird · 20/11/2020 19:26

@LimeLemonOrange

Thanks DigitalChristmas, well articulated. That will help persuade my husband!

Ok so we're all self-isolating for 14 days. I've ordered a home test and if he can manage it, great, if not, fine, we'll continue the isolation period.

Remember it's 10 days for him and 14 for you from first day of symptoms.

That would be the sore throat

lentilsforlunch · 20/11/2020 19:38

Give him a reward if he does the test - something he really wants

lentilsforlunch · 20/11/2020 19:39

Oh just read your update. Maybe not a reward if he's happier with less pressure

ChasingRainbows19 · 20/11/2020 19:41

My niece started off with cold/sore throat symptoms. A week later took a test due to other symptoms and it’s positive. So id isolate if you can’t test.

SquishySquirmy · 20/11/2020 19:42

Might he be able to cope with the swab if he pushed it up his nose himself? So he feels more in control?
When I had a drive through test we did it to ourselves (I did the dc).

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 20/11/2020 19:46

When the test arrives, maybe place it somewhere he can see to try and come to terms with it. Perhaps even suggest he tries doing it himself, as someone suggested, and if it's inconclusive, well, he's isolating anyway.

ZolaGrey · 20/11/2020 20:44

@Racoonworld

That’s great you’re following the rules and isolating. Just to add I have a severe needle phobia, and has to have a test recently. There is no way I could do it myself, that thought is way worse as I can’t make myself do something like that. I did manage to let hospital staff do it. If you want him to do the test you might be better to book a drive through test and don’t tell him until an hour before. It’s often the build up which is way worse than the actual procedure so if you don’t give him time to get worked up about it you may find he will let someone else do it for him.

Please don't do this.

Flagsfiend · 20/11/2020 20:56

It might be worth getting him to watch the video of what you need to do - I was sent it when I booked a drive through. He is old enough to do it himself so if you order a home test there is no pressure and he can stop the test at any time. I really don't like the idea of someone doing the test to me, but have managed to self-test 3 times.

MyBossIsATwat · 20/11/2020 21:12

We got a conclusive result for my 2 year old after only managing to get the swab up 1 nostril for maximum 8 seconds, didn’t even attempt the other nostril or get it anywhere near her mouth.

If he can’t bring himself to do the throat part then perhaps he could at least try the nostrils as that feels less invasive and no gagging. It might end up inconclusive but worth a try maybe.

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 21:15

Good idea to get him to watch the video, I'll do that.

OP posts:
LH1987 · 20/11/2020 22:36

No advice, but I have severe phobias of medical procedures. Just wanted to give you comfort, that with some CBT and simply getting older, i now manage to go to all check upS etc (even had a baby recently). Not relevant to your question though, but i think its good to know it can get better!

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 20/11/2020 23:01

LH1987 that's really good to know, thank you, that gives me a lot of hope.

OP posts:
RosesforMama · 21/11/2020 11:03

My DD doesn't like it (we are on the ONS survey and have weekly tests, she chooses to carry on as she gets 25 quid each time) and I rarely get more than a second at the back of her throat and just inside each nostril, not high up at all. Never not had a conclusive result. It doesn't hurt at all but the throat but can trigger a slight gag reflex.

GreenOagoda · 21/11/2020 11:46

Let him do the home test himself- forget the throat swab and just get him to swab his nostrils as best he can. If he's in control he can start slowly and cautiously and take his time to see how far he can tolerate the swab going up into the nasal cavity. Worst case scenario you get an inconclusive result and have to continue to isolate, but he may well be able to get enough of a sample this way.

My SEN child had a total meltdown at a testing centre, the best we could do was a cursory swab of the nostrils; I was convinced it would come back inconclusive but he got a result. Plenty of similar stories on here, my favourite was a toddler who immediately batted the swab out of her nose onto the floor and still got enough for a result Grin

It's not ideal, and of course you'd be better off with a thorough nose and throat swab, but we can all only do the best we can with our own circumstances.

Good luck x

Torvean32 · 21/11/2020 13:32

Show your son the video of how to do it. Tell him he can do it, or you can.

If he refuses he will need to isolate anytime he has a symptom.
Since he has a symptom now he should not even be going out.

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