Do you have questions about regular rapid Covid-19 testing for you and your family? Laverne Antrobus and Dr Zoe Williams are here to help.

[CeriMumsnet]

This Q&A is now closed.

Now that children are back at school with regular testing in place for secondary and college aged students, the government is encouraging parents, carers, and those in bubbles of all school children to help keep everyone safe by getting twice weekly rapid tests for Covid-19 when they don’t have symptoms. We have invited expert child psychologist, Laverne Antrobus, and GP Dr Zoe Williams to answer any questions you have about regular self-testing.

Find out more about the experts below:

Dr Zoe Williams MBBS, DRCG and MRCGP is a practicing NHS GP and media medic with accolades such as being named on the Pulse Power 50 List as one of the country’s most influential GPs. Outside of the surgery Zoe is a National Advisor for Public Health England and is a clinical advisor to the RCGP. She is a director and founding member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Zoe is currently one of the resident GPs on ITV’s popular daytime show This Morning in addition to presenting for the BBC’s ‘The One Show’, ‘Horizon’ and ‘Trust Me I’m a Doctor’.

Here’s what Dr Zoe says: "Regular rapid Covid-19 testing using lateral flow tests is a fast and easy way to find out if you have coronavirus when you don’t have symptoms. Around 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms and could be spreading it without knowing. Testing twice a week will help stop the virus spreading, keeping your family and friends safer.

As a GP, I’m asked a lot about testing and want to help answer any burning questions you have about the new tests. I’m here to help talk through any of the more technical parts - is there a right way to test? How is testing helping us? Why secondary age children are testing but primary aren’t. As lockdown restrictions are eased I’d love to clarify any testing questions that you might not have had time to ask your GP!”

Laverne Antrobus is a consultant child and educational psychologist with over 25 years experience. Having trained at the Tavistock Clinic in London, Laverne works with children who present with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and their families in one of the Tavistock’s specialist multi-disciplinary teams. Laverne appears on popular daytime broadcasts and is often asked to give a psychological perspective on issues that affect children and their families in both radio and print media. She has made programmes on childhood and parenting for the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Here’s what Laverne says: “Now that regular rapid Covid-19 testing has started to become part of the new routine for families, I want to help provide support and guidance for any queries you may have. I’m here to answer your questions - I have tips on how to make testing part of your new school routine, how to explain to your child the importance of carrying out tests when they don’t have symptoms, and the reasons why these changes will help to keep us safer.”

Would you like to learn more about how regular asymptomatic self-testing can help your loved ones and the wider community and how it works? Perhaps you’re after tips on how self-testing can be incorporated into your busy family life or you’d like some advice on how to talk to your children about regular testing. Post your questions on this thread and Laverne and Zoe will be online to answer them until 14th April.

Please note that Laverne and Zoe will not be able to respond to questions asking for specific or personal medical advice. If you are worried about a personal health issue, please contact your GP.

As a thanks for their time, all who leave a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list) supplied by Mumsnet. The prize draw will be carried out on 15th April.

Thanks,
MNHQ
Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Does the regular use of a nasal spray to combat hayfever affect the accuracy of nasal swabs for LF testing?

@jacqui5366

My daughter (age 12) has terrible anxiety about testing, the virus, being with people she does not know, she is ok with the testing, as it gives her reassurance she is ok, but my question would be as a child psychologist, what techniques would you feel are most effective in reducing the anxiety and long term mental affects of all of the mask wearing, testing and social distancing we have had to endure over the past 12 months ?

Thanks for your question @jacqui5366 . This has been a really hard year, with schools closing and children not seeing their friends. Children’s anxiety about things not being normal has been a big part of their lockdown experience. Brilliant that your daughter is ok with testing as testing twice a week for people without symptoms will help stop the spread of the virus. Although this new step is reassuring, I can understand that she still feels very worried. Talking with her about what is making her anxious may help with some practical solutions for example, following the guidance of hands space and face and fresh air is one part of what she is doing. Alongside this, getting your daughter to think about what helps to lessen her anxiety is also important. Self help is a good first step; allowing some worry time but then distracting herself with something she enjoys doing can keep worries in check. She can also tell worries to ‘get lost’ and remind herself that she is doing lots of things to keep herself safe. Getting out for fresh air, even for a short time is important, a change of scene can help! Maybe she can feel less worried about being with people she doesn’t know by just mixing with people who are sticking to the rules. Most importantly, remind her that she is doing everything she can to keep herself and others safe and this is just great!

@salemaxo

How do you reassure kids who don't like anything related to hospitals or doctors, ie. taking swabs.

Thanks for your question @salemaxo. Try to find out if there has been something that is fuelling this worry - there might be a memory of previously feeling unwell that has stuck in their minds. Talk about all of the things you and they are doing to keep yourselves safe. Chat about school where big efforts are being made to keep the environment as safe as possible and also check out what they have heard from friends about taking the test. Talk them through the reasons for testing, how important it is going to be to get into the regular habit of testing twice a week as this will play an important role in keeping life moving; alongside the vaccine, hands, face, space rules, and social distancing measures. Slowly let them have a go at taking a swab (if they're in secondary school), supporting them at every stage. There might be something quite reassuring about doing the tests at home which surprises them and you as it is very different to having a nurse or doctor taking the lead. Hopefully by taking things slowly they will get there and feel very proud of their part in stopping the spread of the virus.

Hi All,

My son Adam is just over 2 and a 1/2 years old. Three in September this year. We have started toilet training him as he was getting more and more dry nappies. He has taken very well to using his potty and occasionaly the toilet as well. We have started him in pull ups so it is easier for him to pull them down when he needs to go to the toliet. We have been training him for 1-2 weeks whilst we were all at home isolating. We told our childminder and she was happy with him carrying on training at her house as well. However he has not quite mastered no 2's yet and he has a couple of accidents occasionaly. My childminder now wants to put him back in nappies which myself and my wife are not happy with as we think that this will confuse him especially after our childminder was all up for us trying to toilet train him. When he is at home with us he wears a pull up or nothing on from the waist below so he doesnt confused. Understandably he cant do this at his childminders but surely he should be able to wear pull ups ? We only put nappies on him now before he goes to bed.

Any advice appreciated as we really dont know what to do.

Thanks.

Mat

@lovemyflipflops

What are your tips for doing the test correctly quickly and accurately ? I have 2 primary school children who have had a test done in school (with my consent) an have been really put off. having further tests ?

Hi @Lovemyflipflops, thanks for your question! At the moment the guidance is that primary aged children do not have to use regular rapid tests. However, all members of the household above primary school age are advised to carry out regular rapid testing as an effective tool in monitoring the virus within the household, so for now your children can just watch you and talk to you about this.

@NumbIcanbe

When I took my young child for a PCR test last year I was told I could just swab their nose. Is this an option for adults doing lateral flow tests? I find the gagging reaction unpleasant each time.

We've not told our 6 year old we are doing the tests as we don't want to worry her that her going to school is in any way unsafe or a risk of getting the virus. Do you recommend talking to her and showing her what we're doing, or just keeping it quiet to shield her from any anxiety about the process?

Hi @NumbIcanbe, thanks for your question! I think being open and honest is best. Let her know that you are doing these tests, as are lots of parents - she may even hear her friends talking about their parents taking the test. Given her age, I don’t think you need to actively show her what you are doing but if she happens to wander in as you are testing yourself just carry on and then talk to her afterwards about it. The main message that you want her to pick up is that you will be testing twice a week and that she can play her part by following the guidance of Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air which she will no doubt know from school and from you.

apologies added to the wrong thread and it wont let me remove my post

Am I right in thinking only 4 questions have been answered on this thread and it is now closed?

Hi everyone. Thanks very much for all your interesting questions.

Laverne and Dr Zoe are continuing to take a look at your questions but there will just be a slight delay on the answers until 19/04.

The prize draw will take place later on today as planned. After this the thread will be closed for questions.

Thank you, Look forward to the update, it's a new way of life for us all for sure .

Thanks again to all who posted questions for Laverne and Dr Zoe. The winner of the prize draw is @Asuwere. Congratulations!

Stay tuned for the answers!

@LakeFlyPie

I use Innova test 2x week (work in NHS) and my secondary school DS tests 3x week with a test labelled 'NHS'. He is required to do nasal and throat swab, mine only nasal. What is the difference between the test kits? I presume they use same technology

Hi @LakeFlyPie good question! All tests are equally suitable for their intended use. While there are some small differences between the devices, they have all been clinically evaluated and selected for use based on performance.

@GlutenFreeGingerCake

I know a few people who.think that the lateral flow tests will test positive if someone has a common cold or flu is there and truth to that.

Hi @GlutenFreeGingerCake thank you for your question! No this is not true. These simple test kits detect viral proteins (antigens) from the SARS-CoV-2 virus in respiratory samples, such as from a nose or throat swab. They will not mistake proteins from other viruses such as colds and flu. New analysis also shows, lateral flow tests are at least 99.9% specific, meaning the likelihood of a false positive is extremely low – less than 1 in every 1,000.

*MNHQ edited this post to include some additional information from Dr Zoe

@MParke

I understand the need for tests, but are there enough tests to go around?

Hi @MParke thank you for sharing your question! The NHS have a robust supply of tests so there are no concerns about running out.

@Purplewithred

How sensitive are the tests? The research I've seen indicates they are pretty poor at picking up asymptomatic covid.

Hi @Purplewithred, thanks for your question! These tests have been widely and successfully used to detect COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals. Studies show that rapid lateral flow tests catch over 95% of those with high viral loads, meaning they are sensitive enough to detect the vast majority of infectious cases but not so sensitive that they pick up cases when you’re unlikely to transmit the virus.

@hauntedvagina

Why do the lateral flow tests for at home use say not to use on primary age children?

If you receive a positive lateral flow test result and a negative PCR, do you still need to isolate?

Why will you only post 7 tests at one time, this seems like an odd number to send.

Hi @hauntedvagina, thank you for your question! Parents/guardians of older primary school aged children can choose to participate in testing at home if they think it appropriate. Children under 12 years of age should be tested by an adult, following the instructions inside the pack.

Although there is a very low risk of false positives for tests using lateral flow devices, they will occur in a small number of cases. If your confirmatory test is negative, it is very unlikely you have the virus so you are safe to return to work and do not need to self-isolate. Naturally do continue to follow all national guidance (Hands, Face, Space, getting fresh air).

Following a home LFD positive test, a confirmatory PCR test should be booked online or via 119. If the PCR test is negative, it overrides the LFD test and a child can return to school (as long as they are not required to self-isolate for another reason such as: they are close contacts of a case; they are under travel related quarantine restrictions; they have symptoms of Covid)

Each box contains 7 LFDs. This allows the person to test themselves twice weekly within a 3-week timeframe. This number of tests in the box factors in the potential for a void test. If you are directed to collect tests from a local test site you will be provided with 2 boxes that contain 7 tests each (14 tests) based on your household taking twice weekly tests. If you have a larger household or are also collecting for your childcare bubble you may be eligible to collect up to 4 boxes (28 tests).

@lillypopdaisyduke

I think that this is a really good idea, and we have a sticker on the ceiling to look up say ahh and I do the swab, and I think I am carrying out the tests as well as I can. The stat's I have seen show that 'non trained testers' only have a 59% accuracy rate - and if you have a parent who is. not organised and just cannot find the time to test, do you think that it's better to to more accurate tests with staff at school- in the long run in my mind its better to have accurate tests, for all pupils rather than 65% accuracy from home testing - do you think I am being over cautious

Hi @lillypopdaisyduke thank you for sharing your question with us! Evaluations from Public Health England and the University of Oxford show these tests are accurate and sensitive enough to be used in our own homes. They are designed to pick up asymptomatic individuals, who otherwise would not be tested at all. Crucially, when levels of virus are at their highest and people are most likely to pass on the disease, lateral flow tests can detect over 95% of cases.

My advice is not to feel too much pressure to do it perfectly straight away. Doing these tests at home is a skill and takes a bit of getting used to, but as someone who has been doing them myself for several months now it really does become simple, quick and straightforward. Know that by doing the testing, even if not perfect at first, you are helping.

@BristolMum96

My biggest question has been mentioned in the intro - why test secondary and not primary? I don't think 5+ years is too young to test. Probably a worse/riskier environment at primary than secondary due to mixing and lack of adhering to rules

Hi @BristolMum96 thanks for your question! Parents or guardians of older primary school aged children can choose to participate in testing at home if they think it appropriate. Children under 12 years of age should be tested by an adult, following the instructions inside the pack.

@starlight36

Why is there not a bigger push to encourage families to do this and explain exactly what is required? I haven't seen any TV advertising or adverts in newspapers. I have two primary age children and it has been mentioned once briefly on a school newsletter with a link to the gov.uk website. From talking to other parents there don't seem to be many families regularly testing. There are no local sites where you can pick up test packs and when I sent off for them I was provided with a pack of seven for a family of four - which isn't really enough if we are all supposed to test twice a week. Why are packs not being sent to schools where they can be easily distributed?

The leaflet provides instructions for testing children under 11 but I have also read that primary school children don't need to be tested. It all seems a bit of a confusing message.

Hi @starlight36 - thanks for sharing your question! Since Friday 9 April, all adults in England are being encouraged to participate in free rapid COVID-19 testing, twice a week, at home.

The NHS has a sufficient supply of testing kits for us all to do this, and we can pick them up from local testing sites (find your local test site by visiting: maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/), or order them for free at nhs.uk/get-tested.

To encourage people to get into the habit of using rapid lateral flow tests twice a week, a major public information campaign has launched which runs across TV, radio, press, digital, out-of-home advertising and social media.

It is not a requirement to test children under the age of 11. Parents/guardians of older primary school aged children can however choose to participate in testing at home if they think it appropriate. Children under 12 years of age should be tested by an adult, following the instructions inside the pack.

@zindeggeh

I'm going to echo what some others have said; why is there not more about this? It's literally only through my kids' school newsletters that I found out about this.

Hi @zindeggeh thanks for your question! To encourage people to get into the habit of using lateral flow tests twice a week, a major public information campaign has launched which runs across TV, radio, press, digital, out-of-home advertising and social media.

If you would like more information about it then you can visit nhs.uk/get-tested to find out how to get the tests, to get more information about how they work, and why all adults and secondary school kids should be testing twice a week.

@shansterx

I understand posting 7 at a time, I mean I'm assuming that's the weeks worth, but surely if people are going to be regularly testing and there isn't a supplies issue, then it makes sense to do a months worth or so or even a fortnight?

Hi @shansterx - good question! Each box contains 7 LFDs. You only test twice a week, not daily, so 1 box allows one person to test themselves twice weekly within a 3-week timeframe. This number of tests in the box factors in the potential for a void test. If you are directed to collect tests from a local test site you will be provided with 2 boxes that contain 7 tests each (14 tests) based on your household taking twice weekly tests. If you have a larger household, or are also collecting for your childcare bubble you may be eligible to collect up to 4 boxes (28 tests).

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for sharing all of your questions - they were great!

We hope we've shared some useful insights for you all. If you'd like to find out more information on testing then please visit: nhs.uk/get-tested.

Thanks

My question about whether vaccinated parents of school aged children should also do the LTFs regularly was not answered.

@Sunnyfreezesushi

My question about whether vaccinated parents of school aged children should also do the LTFs regularly was not answered.

Hi @Sunnyfreezesushi, thanks for your question! Whilst the vaccine offers hope as the national restrictions ease, and early clinical evidence shows that it reduces severe infection, there is still a chance vaccinated people can contract the virus and pass it on. It is also still too soon to know how it will impact the rates of infection, transmission or variants of concern. The vaccination efforts have been huge with over 32 million people having received their first dose of the vaccine, however it will still be several months till all adults have been offered it, and not all those offered the vaccine will actually take it up. There are also some groups, like children, who have not been authorised to have the vaccine yet. It is therefore important that in the months ahead, everyone takes part in the new regular rapid testing even if they have had the vaccine.