Covid test a child for every cough?!

[Grizzlydoris]

Hi everyone, quick question if I may.

My daughter (12) , like so many others, suffers with her asthma throughout the year but especially in the autumn & winter. Her first symptom is usually a cough, sometimes dry, someone's wet. She currently has a cold (classic runny nose) and a cough. My question is, should we be getting a covid test every time she starts with a cough? She's had two tests in the last few months due to having a cough *and temperature* which is fair enough, but I'm finding it impossible to tell if she just has an asthmatic cough or something else this time. 🤦 If she has to get a test every time a cough flares up we might end up doing them every few weeks. 🤷

What are people's thoughts on this please?

Thanks in advance.

Doris

[Claire_ALUK Partner ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi Grizzlydoris, obviously if this is a new continuous cough she should have a covid test as well as a chat with your GP, however I do understand what you are saying about whether this is asthma or covid. I would recommend booking an asthma review for your daughter as it sounds like she is getting an increase in her symptoms quite easily and this could be down to her asthma control not being optimal. I will pop on a few links you may find helpful and do feel free to ring one of us nurses on the AUK helpline to discuss further 0300 2225800 M-F 930-445 healthunlocked.com/asthmauk... asthma.org.uk/advice/child/...

[Claire_ALUK Partner ALUK Asthma Nurse in reply to Claire_ALUK]

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

[Grizzlydoris in reply to Claire_ALUK]

Thank you Claire. That's helpful. 🙂