This Tuesday, September 15, the specialist Jimmy Mohamed indicated the situations in which it was necessary to carry out the PCR test for the coronavirus on a child, at the microphone of Europe 1.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be rife, especially in schools. Barely two weeks after the start of the school year, 32 schools and 524 classes were closed all over France, according to figures from Gabriel Attal, government spokesman.
Runny nose, fever, diarrhea, dry cough, it is important to stay alert to your symptoms of the coronavirus. Nevertheless, Doctor Jimmy Mohamed indicated that young children are less concerned by the risk of transmission of the virus, on Europe 1. “Before six years, this situation must remain exceptional, according to the recommendations of the French Pediatric Society. There are a lot of viral infections, but the transmission of Covid between children remains very low. ”
For this reason, it is essential to check that your child has all the symptoms. "If your child ever has a runny nose or coughs without having a temperature, there is no reason to isolate him, take him out of the community, or even have a PCR test," indicates the doctor.
"A test will only be prescribed if there are signs of seriousness"
Before doing a PCR test, which is very painful for young children, it is necessary to contact a health professional. “A test will only be prescribed if there are signs of seriousness, if there has ever been proven contact with children or people who have tested positive for Covid, or even if there are fragile people in at home, for prevention purposes ”, he indicates.
For children over six, the situation is a bit more complicated. “If your child is over six years old, cough with or without fever. If ever there are digestive signs, such as diarrhea, see a doctor within 48 hours. If that's not possible, it's best to take him for a PCR test. ” Before adding, “If you can see a doctor within 48 hours, there are two scenarios. Either the doctor makes an obvious diagnosis: your child has bacterial tonsillitis or an ear infection, for example, and in this case a PCR test should not be done. Either it's a cold or some sort of bronchitis, and there's a good chance your doctor will ask for a test. "
As a reminder, if your child tests positive for Covid-19, it will be necessary to wait seven days before letting him return to the community.