Do I need to take my 3yo for a test?

[EezyOozy]

Hello all,

I'm not clear on what to do next.

My older daughter (aged 3) woke at 0500 and vomited 3-4 times until 0930. Gave liquids only. Temp went up to 39 and she started to shiver, gave Calpol and temp came down. Seemed fine and ate dry toast and banana. 1430 looked unwell again and starts to shiver. Temp 39 again. Gave Calpol ... temp still high (38.7) at 1500 so gave nurofen. Now asleep stripped off and temp is c. 37.8. Will continue to give liquids and monitor temp etc.

She goes to a childminder one day per week, last went on Friday.

No respiratory symptoms.

Do I need to take her for a Covid test? If so, when? I can't take her till she's feeling a bit better surely?

I've already contacted the CM and other parents. One other parent has replied to say their 3yo "seemed a bit fluey yesterday and had a slight temp but is fine today" (no test been done).

Thanks :)

Just a warning that my 3yo has found both tests he’s had v traumatic (and he’s normally quite a stoical child with doctors, injections etc, never bats an eyelid) and I DREAD the inevitable next one as he has to be physically restrained to do it now and it’s quite horrible for everyone involved. It actually enrages me a bit that we don’t have a saliva test for kids here like they have in some other European countries. Also obviously puts me off getting him tested if he has borderline symptoms.

I take the DCs red books as ID when I go, I've never been asked for them though, just the QR code on my phone.

@juliainthedeepwater I’m glad mine isn’t the only one who found it traumatic. I didn’t know there were other ways of testing kids in other countries. It’s got to be better than what they ask us to do at the minute. My sister had to throat and nose swab my 7yo niece and it was traumatic for them as well. She had to physically restrain her in the car seat and god knows how she managed it. It seems barbaric for little ones.

Has your child been in contact with ‘fluey’ child? If yes, I’d be annoyed that the parent didn’t isolate and test before sending their child to mix with others!

It'll be ok OP, I took my 3yo earlier in the year and set her up with a story book whilst I did the test on her, it's uncomfortable but lasts seconds and then they're absolutely fine. She was more concerned about getting her chocolate buttons opened for afterwards!

I would recommend telling the child what is about to happen "quick poke up your nose and in your mouth, will be a bit uncomfortable but only for a few seconds and then you get some buttons" is what I said. She was strapped in her car seat and distracted by a book and the packet of buttons she was trying to open. A far better experience than it could have been! Try not to worry

It was horrible to do, I'm afraid to say - horrible to know your child is distressed because of something you are doing and not understanding why you're doing it. We had an episode of her favourite TV programme geared up for straight afterwards (we went to a drive-through) and she did settle down within 5 mins so for us the pain was at least short-lived. My daughter is a "young" 2 year old, so you may be able to explain better to your little one what us going on.

Good luck, hang in there and remember it is over quickly afterwards.

Is it just me who’s flabbergasted that 10+ months into this shitshow, we’re still getting questions like this?

Got a temperature? Get tested. It really is that simple.

It may not be pleasant but it’s over quickly. I say that who’s had to have multiple tests myself through work as well as having to do it to my dc,

Please inform your dc’s childminder op and isolate your whole household until you have the result.

I hope your dc is feeling better soon.

Is it just me who’s flabbergasted that 10+ months into this shitshow, we’re still getting questions like this?

Perhaps the only one rude enough to come onto a thread to say something that. Totally unhelpful. I've a baby and a poorly 3yo. I'm sleep deprived. I came on here to check as the other kids mum hasn't bothered so I wanted to check. Helpful people answered and gave advice. No need to be flabbergasted. Perhaps find something better to do.

Thank you @Flev . A year does make a lot of difference in understanding. I've told her that she's going to a special doctor who needs to check her nose with a tickle stick and she seemed a bit excited

My 5 year old has had quite a few tests due to us taking part in research for the office for national statistics. There is no need for any sort of restraint, you can simply 'tickle' just inside each nostril while you count to 30 together. Treat it as a game. I think I would find the test horrific if someone twice my size was restraining me at the time!

My 3yo managed to stay asleep in her car seat and only woke up just as the test was done!

My two year old has had two tests (both negative). First was a walk through centre and it was by far the better experience. He was strapped in to his push chair watching videos on my phone. They talked me through it, just up the nose and he was really calm and it wasn't too bad at all.
The second time was a drive through so I sat in the back with him while he was strapped in to his car seat. I followed the instructions which was for throat and nose but it was much more stressful than the first time.
Take bribes with you- it will be over quickly! Good luck.

Is it just me who’s flabbergasted that 10+ months into this shitshow, we’re still getting questions like this?

Definitely not just you.

The main symptom is a fever

OP is asking if a fever requires a test

Let me just go and bang my head against a wall

Signing off now. Thanks to those of who that have been helpful. Shame it had to get a bit nasty. I wonder why people come of to threads just to make people feel a little bit shut. Such in MN and the sad lives of others I guess! Bye!