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Covid

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Original poster

Testing a toddler

11 replies

OpalFruits84 · 05/12/2021 14:30

We need to do a home swab test on our 2 y/o before she can go to nursery tomorrow, which she predictably hates.

She has a runny nose. Sorry for the disgusting image, but is it possible to sample what comes out the nose? Or does the swab have to go up?

OP posts:

Fallagain · 05/12/2021 14:49

No. The swab has to go up.

If she has a temp or cough she will need a PCR not a LFT. I wouldn’t relay on a PCR being back for tom

Original poster

OpalFruits84 · 05/12/2021 15:10

I’m not in the UK. Slightly different testing system here. She needs a home test as a member of staff at nursery tested positive, not because she has any symptoms

OP posts:

Original poster

OpalFruits84 · 05/12/2021 15:10

But thank you for the clarification

OP posts:

PiratePetespajamas · 05/12/2021 15:16

No, it needs to go up the nose. I’m afraid it isn’t very nice. We explained first, bribed second (chocolate), restrained third. I found sitting the child on your lap, sideways, and holding them close in to your body, works best. You should be able to hold their arms in with one hand and swab wit the other that way. The trouble starts when they begin shaking or moving their head. If this is your first time you might get lucky and get doing it without too much fuss.

It was awful - but it was also over very quickly and instantly forgotten, it seems. Good luck!

BertieBotts · 05/12/2021 15:19

You can also do it in the back of the throat. That's what the ones we have to do for our 3yo are like. The one with a swab you put in clear liquid and then drop into a strip test like a pregnancy test? (Also not UK)

BertieBotts · 05/12/2021 15:20

The test you have should come with instructions.

EmmaOvary · 05/12/2021 15:21

Can you try to make it into a game? It's not easy, I know. My DH managed a stress free swab of our 19 month old yesterday by showing him what he was going to do then singing and dancing through it...

Clarkey86 · 05/12/2021 15:29

I know this is going against the NHS guidance and I wouldn’t normally suggest it, but swabbing toddlers is bloody traumatic for everyone….so anecdotally, I am currently covid positive and did a swab on the very outside edge of my nostril just to see what would happen. Blazing positive exactly the same as the deeper invasive one I did.

With that in mind, I’m no longer shoving that damn swab so far up my child’s nose that two of us have to physically restrain her and she is terrified now of any swab or medical test.

We’re swabbing her nostrils, while she’s asleep, only going as far in as we can without distressing her.

MRex · 05/12/2021 15:42

Have her blow her nose first. If she's snotty then she needs to do that anyway

Original poster

OpalFruits84 · 05/12/2021 16:46

Thanks to all for the advice.

Yes, I believe the tests are the same as the home tests in the UK. They came with instructions but nothing that mentioned toddlers specifically

We made a game by ‘swabbing’ some toys with a straw before the one time we tested her. It was fun until the swab was up her nose, so it didn’t stay up long.

If it has to go up then feel that restraining is the only way to do it safely, but very much not looking forward to doing it tomorrow morning

OP posts:

Kookookachuu · 05/12/2021 17:45

Do you have a car seat? We do tests whilst DD is strapped in her car seat then bribe with chocolate.

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