Testing a baby for Covid

[dolly12345]

Hi, my 7 month old is poorly today (very snotty, warm but not burning up, upset tummy, extremely discontented). Obviously given the current situation, I'm going to assume Covid until proven otherwise. I just tried to do an LFT on him (I know they're not enough if you're symptomatic - I just wanted to see if I could do it). It's negative but I don't think I got a very good sample at all. I guess I need to book a PCR. Any tips for getting a good swab from a baby?

Nobody else in the family is symptomatic otherwise I'd just test us and assume he's got what we've got. My husband and I are both boosted. I did an LFT on off chance I have it and am asymptomatic (I don't).

Thanks.

Why do you want to test him?

What will you do differently if he tests positive to Covid?

Would you be confident he didn't have it if he tested negative?

Your baby has what seems like a nasty infection. You wouldn't want to pass it on, so you keep him in until he is better and take what (limited, in truth) steps you can to avoid catching it yourself. As you are aware there is a particularly fast-spreading illness about it would be a good idea to keep him in for a few extra days after he is better. Covid or not, this is a good idea.

You know about Covid. He possibly has it. If he has, the rest of the family are all contacts so would be advised to do daily LFTs for a week. As you don't know, better to assume your DS has it and act accordingly. Your own results may provide a useful indication as to whether or not your DS has had Covid. But would that make a difference?

Unless you need to test him so he can attend childcare I honestly wouldn't bother.

It's a pain in the arse to test an infant and I wouldn't put them through it if you could instead just stay home with them and allow them to rest and recover.

It does not take much to get a positive result when you swab....at least in my experience with my two kids. We just did a quick one up the nose and both were positive (in the past negative). They always cry and move away etc so its hard and I try my best to get a good swab....but really you just twirl it around and that is enough. I do not do the throat as that is impossible with children unwilling. As for a baby, I would not test them!

If he's not coughing and his fever is below 37.8 I'd not test. It could be a cold. I find doing PCR tests on my baby far easier than my 6 year old. She's strapped in the pushchair or car seat at the test centre. Nose only.

Unless you can do the PCR while they sleep, you might find it easier to swab while they have a bottle/feed. Good luck, hopefully it's just a cold and it goes quickly 🤞

Thanks all.

Two reasons it would be good to know:

1. We saw my (admittedly triple jabbed) parents yesterday and it would be reassuring if it wasn't Covid.

1. DS has a 4 year old older brother who we would probably keep off childcare if DS2 was positive.

Thanks again.

I wouldn't test a baby that young.

Kids under 4 are so suspectable to all bugs as they build up their immune systems. Statistically it's far more likely to be not covid.

Your 4 year old is perfectly entitled to go to childcare even if the baby does test positively. And if he's in school, he certainly should be going. Our school expects it as they have already missed out so much.

Testing small children, is in my opinion, getting out of hand. Friends of mine have had to test their two children (both under 4) over 30 times in total as they have followed the rules to the letter. Every test has been traumatic for the children and every test has been negative.

If it makes you feel better, in Wales the under 4's don't test at all and I think this is very sensible.

I hope your baby feels better soon. Test yourselves by all means. If it's Omicron you'll all get it fairly soon. If you dont get it, no reason to think your parents would either. And it's too late either way 🤷.

Madness.

I tested DD2 at about that age - if he'll sleep in the buggy or car seat I'd try for an appointment at nap time. DD slept through her test and barely stirred.