Did you manage to PCR your child in their sleep?

[trunumber]

I've read you can do a sneaky PCR test while they're asleep. Does this work on primary aged children rather than just babies?

Any advice or positive stories welcome!

I probably wouldn’t. I hate having them myself and I can imagine how horrific it would be to wake up mid-pcr test. If they’re primary aged then I would try bribery first.

I feel your pain though. DS8 is autistic and I have not yet been able to get a successful pcr test done with him, it’s a genuine traumatic experience every time.

Good lord op
Can’t believe you suggested this
If you must test then just get them to spit on it
This is a very virulent virus remember
If it’s in your nose
It’s in your throat, mucus etc

I was only asking she asks, I've seen it written about quite a lot on here, it's not like I've come up with some random idea myself.

Alright I won't. I hate this. He won't be bribed, he's terrified of them.

Thanks for your answer @Kanaloa - I know you're right. I'd hoped I'd be able to sneak it like I've read some people have managed it at night but I know if he woke it would be worse.

When we last needed to do one on our 4 year old we were told to just let her spit on it which is good because after the first time when I had to physically pin her down while she screamed I refuse to swab either child ever again.

Thanks Large - can I ask who told you that? It would be great if they could make it official

I wouldn’t, if they woke up suddenly and jerked their head the swab could do some damage

Yes I understand why you’ve asked - of course the ideal would be if it could be done while they’re asleep and they never know! But I would think of the flip side of them waking up and panicking or hurting themselves, which is so much worse.

I didn’t think of spitting onto it, if anyone agrees that works I may try it next time ds8 needs one! It’s annoying as he always, always gets sniffly coughs and won’t/can’t tolerate the testing.

I have done to a 5 year old. Tickled their nose, didn’t wake up, must have been a big enough sample as returned negative (not inconclusive). It had to be done so seemed like the best option.
Intrigued by spitting though- might try that if we have to do another.

It was someone on 111 when my daughter had a temperature of over 41 which wouldn't go down, when she gets ill she always gets a crazy high temp so it didn't turn out to be COVID but yea, they said you can let little kids spit. It's probably not as accurate? But better than doing nothing which was our other option.

My 6 year old did it herself. I did mine at the same time, it was quite a funny moment. Try that.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your replies

@shewalkslikerihanna if “spitting on the swab” was adequate then that would be the instruction.