Covid catch 22 <child health version>

[SomeKindOfFloppyWeirdo]

Ds1 has quite obvious signs of an infection, but no fever, rash or pain. I want to take him to the gp, but the gp won’t see him until he has a negative covid test. 119 won’t let him have a covid test as he has no symptoms of covid.

I feel like both of them are “right” - gp for wanting to rule out covid, although he doesn’t have any of the usual symptoms, and 119 who can’t give tests to people without symptoms.

We have rapid testing centers locally, but they’re only for key workers who are over 18. Or key workers or over 18s. He’s neither, so it’s a bit academic!

So do I:

1. Lie about symptoms to get an test
2. go to a minor injuries unit (but putting them at risk if he is infectious)
3. train him up as a nurse so he can have a key worker test
4. put him on his brother’s shoulders then wrap him in a large trench coat and pass him off as a large man
5. travel forward in time one week so he can have a lateral flow test

I mean, wtf.

Lie to get the test

I'd lie about symptoms to get the test too.

It's understandable the GP wanting to rule out Covid, but what's unacceptable is the barriers being put in place to access treatment for other issues that could become dangerous if untreated.

I hope your DS is better soon.

You can pick up boxes of lateral flow tests from test sites from today if you school age children. I’ve just been today. Or you can get a box posted to you.

www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

I'd be asking the GP how you are supposed to get a COVID test!

And then I'd lie about the symptoms to get one.

4 of course!

I think there may be an option when booking online to say you have been asked to test?
Otherwise I would put fever as the symptom and get a test that way. You have been asked to test by a GP so it's not for your own reasons

Option 4 for a laugh.

Then lie. Ends justify the means.

Just lie about symptoms to get a test. There isn't a shortage now.

Lie to get a test. There is no shortage at the moment. I had one this morning and there were well in excess of 300 appointments available.

Really though, if the GP is insisting on this then they should have some lateral flow testing on site. I think the GP is being unreasonableZ

So it basically comes down to whether it’s quicker/easier to get hold of a box of lateral flow tests or a trench coat What a year.

@R1234567 Thanks for that link, it looks really useful! I’ll def try that, as the lateral flow rapid test site near me is for over 18s only. So frustrating.

I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who would choose 1. Although after I got off the phone to 119 ds told me he felt hot and weird. But his temp is only 36.8, and now he feels fine.

I feel very unqualified for this. He has a noticeably swollen weird body part which I’ve had to swab at home and send in, but the chances of a trained professional setting eyes on it seem low.

Responses from different gps range from “this looks like some horrific infection” to “this could be perfectly normal for him.”

If I don’t post for a while it’s because I’ve banged my head against a wall into complete unconsciousness.

Actually, will have to check with the gp that they would accept the result of a lateral flow test, as they specified a PCR test.

hes got a temperature. everything has a temperature. just because he does not have a raised temperature... oh and didn't he feel a little hot to you earlier...

Lateral flow tests aren’t for use if you have symptoms. I’d lie and get a proper test.

Just lie. It’s a dumb situation. Do what you need to do to get the result.

I think there is a box that allows you to tick you have been asked to be tested

Curious - what symptoms did you describe to the GP that led them to insist on a COVID test?

I can't see why they would request this before seeing someone with a "swollen body part" that needed looking at.

Doesn't the doctor do anything over the phone, zoom/similar or by photographs? Ours does, a phone call and a couple of photos got her admittedly to hospital for surgery (not that your son would need that but ...).

her being my DD!

I wouldn't do a lateral flow test. I would do a PCR test. I had to lie when I did a recent PCR test as I didn't have any symptoms but had been in close contact with someone positive at work. I came back positive so feel no guilt about lying.

If the area is genitals, then A&E. You don't want to mess around if it could be testicular torsion.

bobbiester It’s his tonsils. Sorry, don’t know why I made that but so mysterious They’re really swollen and occasionally a bit painful, but more “annoying” than painful. I’ve swabbed his tonsils (not for covid but for other infections) and we’re waiting for his test results. None of that is a symptom of covid, but the first gp wanted the test done to eliminate covid from their list. Wilson’s mind but he’s been having these symptoms for months!

Starfish4 I have sent in photos - first gp thought they could see signs of infection and requested I pick up a swab kit (which I did), second gp (a day later) said “some people just have big tonsils, don’t worry, they’re probably fine.” I hope your dd is doing much better now

Icequeen wow, lucky you did that! Definitely a guilt free choice! Hope your feeling better now.

Purpletomato no testicles involved thankfully!

*Wilsons mind?? That’s supposed to say “wouldn’t mind”

I should say as well that prior to this, he’s had check ups, antibiotics and blood tests. The blood tests came back normal for glandular fever, thyroid disorder, and other things. Antibiotics helped, but the tonsil problems just come back.

So given that this is a long term problem, and he’s been seen in their surgery before, I’m not sure why we suddenly need the covid test. Still, it’s on its way to us, and thanks all for the moral support!

Postal tests are coming back quickly. A friend ordered hers got it the next day posted back and had the resultstearly the next day. Easier to do to a child at home as well.
A friend was once dismissed by a gp as having unusually large tonsils when she was in serious pain and next day ended up in a and e with acute tonsillitis and was on strong antibiotics and ill for weeks. She requested to not see that gp next time

That’s good to know needcoffee - the tests being quick that is, not about your friend’s tonsillitis. That sounds awful! I hope she’s feeling better now

Shes fine now thanks but I think we learnt to not be fobbed off by a gp about being abnormal.
I hope tests come back quickly and then the gp can see your ds and sort out the problem.