Preparing Your Child for Drive-through COVID-19 Testing
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If you, your child, or someone in your family has symptoms of COVID-19 and you are looking for information about getting tested, your first step should be to call your primary care medical provider. They will coordinate safe testing and treatment and get you the care you need.
Video For Your Child
If your child’s healthcare provider has recommended drive-through testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19), you may want to consider preparing them ahead of the experience. It’s important to provide honest information to increase your child’s sense of security.
1. You’ll want to prepare your child for what the medical staff will be wearing and why.
Suggested language: "You will see people wearing gowns, gloves and masks. This is to help keep everyone as safe as possible."
2. Prepare your child for what the Q-tip used to collect the sample will look like and what it will be used for.
All CHOP testing sites now use a less invasive nasal swab. While the testing process is similar, the swab doesn’t need to go as far into the nose.
Suggested language: “Someone will use a long Q-tip to rub the inside of your nose for about 10 seconds. This Q-tip will be sent to a doctor who will learn more about your body.”
3. When the test is performed with your child in the car or car seat:
If you are able to sit next to your child during the swabbing it will give them a sense of comfort. If you are not, unbuckle yourself and turn around to face the child to provide reassurance. After the test is completed it might be helpful to pull over in a safe place and comfort your child.
4. You may want to make a plan to help your child cope during the test. Validate your child’s feelings. Consider saying, “It’s OK to feel upset about this. Let’s figure out a way we can get through this together.”
Suggested coping options:
- Listening to soft music
- Counting
- Deep breathing
- Cold drink for afterward
Focus on things your child has a choice in. For example, “What could we bring with us to help?”
Suggested items to bring:
- Electronic device
- Favorite blanket
- Stuffed animal
- Favorite book or toy
Let your child know that it’s OK to not like getting the test, but that they need to hold as still as possible.
Suggested language:
“Try to hold your head still like a soldier.”
“Let’s pretend we’ve been frozen like Elsa.”
“It’s important to keep your head, arms and legs as still as possible.”
If a series of pictures might help your child better understand the testing process, you can also download and print this document outlining COVID-19 drive-through testing steps to add to your explanation and words of comfort.
Find additional information on helping your child cope with medical procedures.
Questions about your appointment?
If you have an appointment scheduled at the drive-through testing site located at CHOP's Roberts Center for Pediatric Research and you are running late or have questions about your visit, you can contact the testing site at 267-521-3048. Please note this phone line is for patients with scheduled appointments only. Appointments can not be made or rescheduled here; please contact your primary care medical provider with questions about getting a test.