Testing a baby for COVID

[Salvia89]

Just thought I’d share with you all a way to test a baby for COVID that is (relatively) Un-traumatic for them.

My DD (3 months) has been unwell since yesterday afternoon. This morning she’s snotty with a fever.

I used the nasal decongester on her this morning to clear her airways and swabbed what came out. Unfortunately it came out positive, but at least low we know.

Hope this tip is handy, as I can’t imagine anyone would want to do a covid test the “proper” way on a tiny baby ☹️.

Has anyone else had such a young baby with COVID? How were they? Poor little DD is sleeping at the minute.. I’m hoping with calpol and lots of sleep and cuddles she can get through it without too much distress.

Wish I'd known that when DS had covid at 4 months! I swabbed him the proper way poor little thing. He didn't appreciate it. He really was fine so don't worry. He went off his milk a bit and was quite unsettled at night with coughing. He did need assessed and needed a big dose of steroids as he did start to struggle (noisy difficult breathing and a nasty croup like cough) but within a few hours of the steroids he was right as rain wanting to play. Babies are such sturdy little things. He's now trying to climb on the sofa to steal his brothers breakfast at 9 months so clearly didn't do him any harm! Just keep giving her loads of cuddles and naps and it'll hopefully pass quickly for you!

That’s good to hear! Glad it wasn’t too awful for him and the steroids helped.

I have a 3 month old and the rest of our household are currently positive. I have no intention of testing the baby, what good will it do? If she's sick I will give her calpol, I don't see the benefit of knowing especially when it involves sucking mucus out of her nose. The rest of us are isolating anyway.

True, but I was sucking the mucous out anyway as she was blocked up. The only other one in the house right now with covid is my partner and he’s at 5 days tomorrow. Now that we know she’s got covid and not something else we’ll all stay home for the weekend.

My 9month old suffered the worst with covid in our household. Horrible fevers, congestion and cough. Poor thing was so miserable and now she has developed Shingles on the back of covid.
I did not know baby’s could get Shingles until now.