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Original poster

3 yr old won’t test

69 replies

Porthia · 12/02/2022 06:42

3 yr old DS is currently hiding under the table rather than let me “tickle” his nose with the little covid test stick. He has a stinking cold but no temperature. I have offered him Paw Patrol and chocolate buttons, I have demonstrated on his older sister how I will be so gentle and not stick it up too high (she was negative).

He is hysterical at the thought of it.

So, I guess my choices are - hold my child down and stick something up his nose against his wishes while he thrashes around and screams, or ignore the fact he has a cold and just hope it isn’t covid. We don’t have much planned for today or tomorrow anyway so he could easily stay home but I don’t really want to isolate him next week unless really necessary.

Ugh. I hate covid.

OP posts:
MrsFrisbyMouse · 12/02/2022 10:18

Don't push it - you'll just make it harder to do medical stuff in future. Practise on doll lots.

Test the snot! Honestly in this house we had a competition to see how badly you could take a lft to get a postive - and they are way more sensitive than they are given credit for!

Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 11:09

@Theyellowblanketofdeath

Why do you need to test a three year old?

You do realise the guidance is actually not to test children under 5.

The sooner this shit ends the better

I don’t think that’s the case is it? Not in England in any case. I honestly wish it were!

Thanks for all the tips - and solidarity everyone! I am going to see if I can do it just at the very edge of his nose tonight. Annoyingly it’s those long spindly ones that are so much more annoying and tickly than the short ones with the stronger stem!

OP posts:
Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 11:10

@MrsFrisbyMouse did you actually get a positive from snot on a tissue?

OP posts:
Buzzinwithbez · 12/02/2022 11:17

Poor thing, I don't think I'd risk any more distress.
Did his sister test positive? If so, I would keep him off for a bit. If not, I'd treat it as a cold.

MrsFrisbyMouse · 12/02/2022 11:18

@Porthia yes. A very strong positive. It was literally seeping out of him! I only just wiped his nose and then dipped the end of the tip in. I was quite amazed really. You can take the test really badly and still get positive results.

MrsFrisbyMouse · 12/02/2022 11:18

Thats not to say you shouldn't do them properly! Obviously proper technique will catch cases with lower viral loads I assume.

Bakewelltart987 · 12/02/2022 11:19

@WarriorN

If they've got it, you barely need to have the stick in their noses for it to be positive.

I did when asleep.

Just had a 3 yr old with it. It was quite bonkers how briefly the swab went on abs how pink the line was.

This I let my dd6 do it on herself yesterday were waiting for a negative with her it barely even went in her nose think she just skimmed the bottom of her nostrils and it was still a positive result.
Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 11:41

@MrsFrisbyMouse oh wow thats interesting! Might try that!

His sister’s test was negative and I’ve just done one on myself and that was negative too. Hopefully it’s just a cold

OP posts:
Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 11:46

Right, snot test is currently doing it’s thing. Let’s see if a line comes up…

OP posts:
RichTeaRichTea · 12/02/2022 13:01

It isn’t advised to do routine LFTs on under 5s in England, no. They are exempt from the daily testing after close contact. You are supposed to do a PCR if they are in a household where there is a positive case, and of course if symptomatic (so temp, cough, loss of smell/taste). I only do PCRs on my preschoolers where required. My husband and I both do regular LFTs for work. We had covid as a household in early January so the testing as advised did its job in our case

Avidreader12 · 12/02/2022 13:18

Sorry but what does testing a 3 year old actually achieve. Your distressing them and there natural reaction should be enough to not force this.

Roselilly36 · 12/02/2022 13:23

@BestKnitterInScotland

Honestly? I wouldn't test him.

Keep him at home until he's better.

This, I really think it’s abusive to put such a young child through such an invasive, uncomfortable and scary (for them) testing procedure.
Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 13:31

Just to be clear, I haven’t forced him to do a test. I tested his snot (negative) but I’m not going to hold him down and force it on him.

Of course if he is poorly he will stay home regardless of if it’s covid or not but if it’s covid then I need to keep him off nursery next week even if his snottiness is better.

OP posts:
Nikki305 · 12/02/2022 13:37

There are so many comments from people asking why are you bothering testing kids. Do your kids not go to school/nursery? They require proof of negative PCR for kids to go in with a cough. So to be able to work my kids need to be tested

confuseddotcom1234 · 12/02/2022 13:57

I find it amazing so many people are commenting on why are we testing our under 5's, do you think we enjoy upsetting our children?? I have to for preschool/ holiday club and also think it's responsible. Trust me I can't wait to not have to ever test my children again but whilst there is still a requirement then the responsible thing to do is test as appropriate.

BlueSoul · 12/02/2022 14:51

After several PCRs over the last couple of years, my 4 year old DS has reached the end of his tether with nasal swabs and I can't get him to do it anymore. I have tested positive and have to do a PCR test for him. I have ordered a Halo spit test, which is quite expensive but worth it in my view. We used these in the summer before/after going on holiday and they were great.

Ilovechocolatetoomuch · 12/02/2022 15:18

My 3 year old tested positive and that was literally a quick swipe round each nostril and it came up blaring positive. I'm glad I tested him as I would hate to be responsible for infecting somebody vulnerable like by elderly grandfather.
No tips just solidarity my Ds goes absolutely Barmey and little success doing it whilst he sleeps.

whyohwhyohwhyohwhywhy · 12/02/2022 15:25

I'm only testing my children with symptoms (as in the actual 3) or if we are a confirmed close contact (which does not mean a random kid on the other side of the room in a class). I might also test them to visit a vulnerable / neurotic friend depending on the situation.

It is within the legal requirement,the rest is guidance. There is no way I am regularly testing my children. For a start it is much harder to then test them when it is actually required.

RichTeaRichTea · 12/02/2022 15:56

@Nikki305

There are so many comments from people asking why are you bothering testing kids. Do your kids not go to school/nursery? They require proof of negative PCR for kids to go in with a cough. So to be able to work my kids need to be tested
My children’s nursery is the same. Does the OP’s child have a cough?
RichTeaRichTea · 12/02/2022 15:57

I don’t do LFTs on my children.

Buffy81 · 12/02/2022 18:05

I have had to test both my kids this week as I tested positvie at the begning of the week. Its not been fun. My 7yr old been doing daily has got used to it now, but my 3yr old hates it, we have to hold him down. Done tests on him when he had to go to nursey (mon and wed) and did another one yesterday and he has now tested positive. The only one in the house not to have it so far is the 7yr old as daily testing for him due to being a close contact with all off us. how long that will last for who knows..........

SexyLittleNosferatu · 12/02/2022 18:09

@Theyellowblanketofdeath

Why do you need to test a three year old?

You do realise the guidance is actually not to test children under 5.

The sooner this shit ends the better

This. I wouldn't bother if it was me.
Rainbowsandstorms · 12/02/2022 18:09

It’s tricky testing under fives but well done for doing so. While it’s important not to distress them, it’s also important to identify cases in under fives too to prevent spread in other settings and passing it to nursery staff etc to avoid them being ill and taking it back to their families. My whole family had covid recently brought home from preschool by my little boy, likely from a child who wasn’t tested when they should have been. A month on I’m still exhausted, my daughter got covid for a second time in two months and missed school again and me and my husband had to juggle work and childcare. Well done op for trying to do the right thing with minimal distress. Self isolation will no longer be legally binding but the hope is that people will avoid knowingly passing it around. We keep children off for 48 hours after and v and isolate them for chicken pox. The idea isn’t that we just stop testing once you no longer have to isolate. I hope he’s negative and is better soon.

Rainbowsandstorms · 12/02/2022 18:10

That should I say d and v.

Pootle40 · 12/02/2022 18:33

@RichTeaRichTea

I don’t do LFTs on my children.
I've never tested a 7 or 12 year old never mind 3 year old! Someone was testing a baby on here the other day. This is twilight zone stuff.
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