Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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

Accurate tests on younger DC?

16 replies

Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 27/06/2021 13:36

Has anyone had real difficulty getting a good enough sample on DC
My youngest (8) was the only one who didnt get covid earlier this year when the rest of the house had it.

On Wednesday she complained of a headache which she never has before and had a 2 hour nap after school. She never napped even as a baby.
Wednesday evening she started coughing. Persistent and it kept her awake and then the fever started (only mildly elevated)
We did a lft and pcr and both were negative but it was really difficult to get a swab as she feels so rubbish and was very distressed.
Today she got up and seems congested now too and couldn't taste her cereal ( which could be the congestion I know)
But the cough is unrelenting and very dry and tickly.
I have repeated the lft and again it ended up with her crying and squirming out of the way.
I'm actually certain she actually has covid and have said as much to the school
They replied with as soon as she feels better and seeing as she has had a negative PCR send her straight back but my gut feeling is telling me different.

Anyone fail to get a sample which showed positive but it was quite clear that it most probably was covid?
Or failing that any tips on how to get a decent sample on a distressed 8 year old?

OP posts:
Twilow · 27/06/2021 13:40

Can you do it when she's asleep?

Original poster
Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 27/06/2021 13:44

Yeah I have thought I might do another lateral flow this evening when she is in bed.
I think usually she wouldn't be so distressed but she feels terrible and "sore all over"
So doesn't want to be messed with.

I'm honestly just tempted to tell the school that we have since had a positive.

OP posts:
SpringRainbow · 27/06/2021 13:47

To be honest I would not assume it definitely was covid. I would accept the result I was given. Unfortunately, Covid symptoms are exactly the same as many other viruses.

However if you are convinced then just tell the school you would prefer to isolate for the full period.

SpringRainbow · 27/06/2021 13:47

@Carrotcakeforbreakfast Does your school as for proof of result?

TimeForLunch · 27/06/2021 13:49

Why do you think it's Covid rather than a cold?

Original poster
Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 27/06/2021 13:54

Yes I think I'll do that.
Just can't shake the niggling feeling that I have.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 27/06/2021 13:55

@SpringRainbow they haven't asked for proof of negative so probably not.
Haven't had to isolate her for symptoms in herself before. Just when we all had it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 27/06/2021 13:57

@TimeForLunch mainly because of the cough and fever preceding everything else.
Just a gut feeling I have like when eldest dd tested positive with the same symptoms.

OP posts:
ZoBo123 · 27/06/2021 14:01

You have done two tests both negative and their are loads of colds going round at the moment, plus high pollen counts. Don't tell the school it was positive they would send the whole class/year off school, think about what that could do to working parents? Another period off work unpaid could mean that children go hungry.

stuckinarutatwork · 27/06/2021 14:01

If you don't get an adequate sample doesn't it come back as such rather than negative?

justwanttodanceagain · 27/06/2021 14:04

@stuckinarutatwork

If you don't get an adequate sample doesn't it come back as such rather than negative?
No
justwanttodanceagain · 27/06/2021 14:07

Try doing the nose rather than the throat - may be easier.

And ignore LF tests - try and get another PCR done. If that's negative too, then chances are good it's not covid.

Original poster
Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 27/06/2021 14:08

Well I have just had a text from the school that year 6 are off from tomorrow. Cases in that year group bubble.

Obviously not my dd year but it is in the school.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 27/06/2021 14:10

@stuckinarutatwork no I don't believe so.
When DH had it his first lft came back negative as he was worse than dd when doing his tonsils Grin
When I did it, it came back positive.

OP posts:
SpringRainbow · 27/06/2021 14:35

I would try doing another PCR rather than a LFT if you are going to bother trying to do another test on her.

PCR are for symptoms, which it sounds like she does have.

However, there are plenty of other things going around which also would cause a fever and cough.

TheDukeissoHot1 · 27/06/2021 15:41

@ZoBo123

You have done two tests both negative and their are loads of colds going round at the moment, plus high pollen counts. Don't tell the school it was positive they would send the whole class/year off school, think about what that could do to working parents? Another period off work unpaid could mean that children go hungry.
This. Please do another PCR test rather than LFT and don’t tell the school it is positive unless you get a confirmed positive result due to the impact on the other children in the class/bubble who would then be sent home to isolate- more lost education plus a headache for working parents.

When I’ve tested my DC (both PCR & LFT) I’ve only done a nose swab on the advice of staff at the testing centre.

Hope your dd starts to feel better soon.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread