If your child is feeling ill, as in they are running a fever, have a cough, congestion, have a sore throat, or are not able to smell or taste, it could very well be Covid-19 and you should have your child tested. If you suspect your child has this virus, you need to keep them at home from school and away from anyone else to prevent the virus from spreading and until you can have them tested. If you have never had your child tested for this virus, there are a few things you should know. Read on for helpful information.
Find A Testing Site
Look for a site that is able to test children. You more than likely will need an appointment, and in some cases, you may also need a referral. If you need a referral, you should contact your child's physician. Testing site appointments are usually limited, so be sure you look right away for the soonest appointment time to have your child tested. Most testing sites also require that you pre-register in order to start the process ahead of time and to spend less time in the testing facility. This can usually be done online beforehand when you set up the appointment. Be sure you have all of your child's information necessary when booking the appointment, including insurance information.
Prepare Your Child
You should know that with children, the cotton applicator is only inserted a small amount into the nostrils, and both sides will need to be swabbed. Unlike adults, the swab doesn't have to be inserted quite as far, but some children may be apprehensive about sticking anything up their nose, so prepare your child ahead of time of what they can expect.
Follow The CDC Guidelines
Make sure, no matter your child's test results, that you are following the CDC guidelines on what to do. If your child was around someone that had Covid-19, they should quarantine. If your child simply has some of the same symptoms, they should also quarantine until those symptoms are gone, especially if they have a fever. If your child has tested positive for the virus, be sure to follow the guidelines and report the positive testing to your child's school. In the event your child was around other children, the other children will need to quarantine as well.
If your child is not feeling well and the symptoms align with Covid-19 symptoms, you should take them in for testing. Contact a testing site and follow the instructions provided to have your child tested. Contact a service such as Dewey Medical for more information.
