DC feeling ill, negative LFT, school tomorrow

[Mycatcontrolsmymovements]

Hello

Not really sure what to do. DC has complained of a sore throat and headaches this weekend. He woke early morning feeling rubbish, snotty nose, really sore throat, slight temp, blocked ear, headache. For context, he never gets ill, I cant remember the last time he had a cold.

I did a LFT and it was negative. Although tbh, he hates them and so not sure how well it went.

What do I do about school tomorrow? Pre-covid I wouldn't have chalked it to a cold and thought nothing of it. I know colds still exist and it probably is just a cold but now, you always think but what if its covid! Fwiw, I feel a bit run down with a blocked ear too but I have had a really stressful time at work so thought it was just that.

Should I test again, keep off school etc or just plough on?

Arrange a PCR test

Get a PCR test done (properly).

Even if negative, I would keep him off school until over the worst in the current climate.

Temperature = PCR. One of the 3 main symptoms.

As DC has one of the main symptoms, they have to be off school and you have to get a PCR for them.

If they are positive, you will be advised to get a PCR, but unless you have symptoms too you can go about your business normally until the results come back (in England).

LFTs are fine for testing the totally asymptomatic on the off chance of catching some extra positives (they picked up 9-50% of the positives identified by PCR in trials). They are not good enough to rule out Covid in the case of a symptomatic person, which is why you must get a PCR.

(The advice is more ambiguous without the temperature, because despite the symptoms ou describe beng absolutely classic Delta variant symptoms in children, they have not been added into the 'must get a PCR' list by the government. However, the fact DC has a temperature, however slight, means that you MUST get a PCR)

He has a temperature which entitles him to a PCR test (but you need to make sure it's properly administered). Government guidance is to get a PCR with that symptom.

Other symptoms my DD suffered when she has Covid included sore throat, headache, and a runny nose.

At least if he has a PCR test you'll be able to tell the school categorically "It's only a cold". Otherwise you'll be in a limbo of awkwardness for the next ten days.

Regardless of covid (you should get a pcr for him) why would you think nothing of him feeling rubbish? I wouldn't send my dc in if they were feeling ill .

PCR and keep him off tomorrow if he's feeling rough, assuming this won't mean you or partner losing pay.

Get a PCR. LFTs are not accurate enough.

He has Covid symptoms, some of which are 'official' ones, therefore he needs a PCR.

I assume you're booked the PCR test, I'd keep my child off school awaiting the result then act depending on what that was

Tbh I think this has always been what to do hasn't it?

If he’s feeling unwell with a very sore throat I’d have kept him off even before Covid. And a temp is a reason to get a PCR.

You are meant to stay home for 48 hours after a temperature goes so no school. They need a pcr test due to having had a temperature. A ltf is not sufficient enough.

You don’t use LFTs for symptomatic people. You need to arrange a PCR test and he needs to stay off school until it hopefully comes back negative. In the meantime give paracetamol and plenty of fluids.

He has a temperature so needs to isolate and have a PCR.

I don’t think you can send in unwell children with a dose of calpol now in the same way you could pre-Covid. It’s not fair passing on the hassle to other parents. Keep him off and get a PCR. Annoying but necessary…

It sounds like he’s too unwell for school anyway?

If he has one of the symptoms he should have a pcr test, it sounds like he will probably feel too poorly for school anyway.

As others have said - book a PCR.

PCR test and don’t send to school. Lots of people I know have had those symptoms at the start of Covid ( delta)

Why don’t people know this by now? Lft is for no symptoms. Symptoms is always a PCR.

I'm on my last day of isolation after testing positive for Covid. I thought I just had a cold, I had a sore throat, headache, runny nose, I didn't get any of the 3 main symptoms until about 4 days in.

I'd get a PCR done I certainly wouldn't be sending him to school without a negative result.

He has a temperature-keep him off school and get a PCR. Don’t send him back while he has a temperature

If PCR is negative and he is still sore throat, stuffy nose and high temperature take him to GP as he may have ear, throat, or sinus infection.

Pre covid kids were meant to be off school for 48 hours after a temp… this hadn’t changed

@User5827372728

Pre covid kids were meant to be off school for 48 hours after a temp… this hadn’t changed

I've never heard this rule for a temperature; only for sickness and/or diarrhoea

Regardless of pcr (which you ought to do) he shouldn’t be in school with those symptoms