Would you test a baby

[Howarewenotthereyet]

My dd2 is 4 months. Dd1 has covid. Dd2 has woken this morning with a high temp, rash and cough. We are monitoring her, calpol, BF more etc. but I wonder if it would be useful to know if it's covid. Either for treatment if it's needed or in the longer term to have it on her medical record?

I would probably ring my gp if a baby that little had a rash and temp. How high is it?

Spoke to 111 over an hour ago. They've booked a call with the gp for in 8 hours time. On phone to gp since 8.30 still in queue. 38 so not super high. She's feeding well and weeing and pooing. Just very unsettled and unwell. Still smiling but less than usual.

Wait and see what gp says. If it helps its easier to test them when they are napping.

You just swab each nostril in a baby

Thanks good point and tip.

I would test her. With your other DC having Covid there's a good chance that's what it is. I think it would be helpful to know sooner rather than later in case she needs treatment, or ongoing symptoms. Also you will know whether she needs to stay home for 10 days or can be taken out when better. I don't think a GP would agree to see her face to face without a test. Hope she feels better soon!

Thanks gp advised testing so we'll order a postal test.

Visiting a test centre would get you a quicker result if you can get to one? Isolation rules don't apply if you need to go and get a test.

@Howarewenotthereyet I second what @BlackInk said. If you can get yourself to a test centre then I would do that. I’ve had to do both postal and test centre. Postal was posted first thing Monday morning and no results until Thursday night. Our test centre one was done at 9am and results back by 11pm the same day.

On the off chance your DD2 takes further unwell and needs treatment it would be more beneficial to know if she’s positive sooner.

Thanks @BlackInk and @IcedCoffeeAlways
I'd already ordered the home test when I saw your messages.

Just went back on to check and I can't make the drive through or walk in tests work really. Drive in is 11 miles drive so about 45 mins in london. And walk in I think I'd need two of us to do the test as a walk in and my DH is isolating with covid.

Just done a lateral flow and it was a very strong positive. So I've registered that result with the NHS. Will wait for the PCR.