Kid refuses strep test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you physically squeeze her jaw open. Tell her she can either throw a huge fit and make a scene and waste a half hour having a temper tantrum, or she can sit in your lap and get it done and over with in three seconds, and after that she can have a lollipop - it's her decision. But either way, she's getting a throat culture.

Untreated strep can lead to heart infections.

I agree, and to get them to open their mouth, you can pinch their nose closed. For my dd when she realized it was absolutely going to happen with or without her cooperation, then she stopped fighting so hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is overreacting. I never got this test as a kid bc like the OP I'd push the dr away. No amount of bribing worked. My gag reflex was s d still is horrible and I have severe anxiety when it comes to vomit. Dr gave me meds and sent me on my way after many failed attempts. Just get the meds

I can't believe a dr would prescribe antibiotics without a strep test now. Maybe back years ago. Plus, sometimes when your kid has a sore throat, it's viral. I would rather force or bribe a kid than over use antibiotics.

[Anonymous]

I would wait and see if she gets worse. I'm not opposed to bribery or reasonable coercion, but no forcing unless close to deaths door. She's 12, not 5. Many adults make the decision to wait and see- that's not an unreasonable position. Start letting her participate in her medical decisions. If she gets worse, explain the test leads to the medicine to make her better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"This test if for your health and will last 2 seconds at the most. If you don't cooperate you will lose X privilege for 2 weeks. Would you rather have a 2 second test or no X for 2 weeks?" In a dead serious tone.

Serious question: What if she chooses the loss of a privilege because she hates the throat swab that much? I was that kid and would absolutely have done so if given that choice.

Then I would take that privilege away and pry the mouth open. Seriously. Pinch a nose, or whatever. That test is happening.

.... but that's just what *I* would do with my own kids. When I mean business, I mean it. My kids know this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"This test if for your health and will last 2 seconds at the most. If you don't cooperate you will lose X privilege for 2 weeks. Would you rather have a 2 second test or no X for 2 weeks?" In a dead serious tone.

Serious question: What if she chooses the loss of a privilege because she hates the throat swab that much? I was that kid and would absolutely have done so if given that choice.

Then I would take that privilege away and pry the mouth open. Seriously. Pinch a nose, or whatever. That test is happening.

.... but that's just what *I* would do with my own kids. When I mean business, I mean it. My kids know this.

So why give the choice in the first place if it's a false choice? If the child doesn't have an option, I wouldn't bother pretending that they did.

[Anonymous]

Good point. So then maybe the option would be no X AND I pry your mouth open. It's not my kid- just replying to the wwyd.

[Anonymous]

Rapid strep tests often give false negatives. Doctors use their best judgment and prescribe antibiotics if they're pretty sure the symptoms match strep better than a viral infection. That negates the necessity for the strep test, IMO. I'd be up front with the doctor at the beginning of the appointment that the throat swab causes a severe reaction from my child, and we'll try to get it, but I won't physically force her mouth open to do it if it comes to that. I'd ask him to treat her the best way he knows how under those circumstances. A good pediatrician would be accommodating.

[Anonymous]

OP here, my child is normally very obedient. This refusal surprised me. I was just wondering to what lengths you would go. I was prepared to force it when the Dr. came up with a bribe that worked.
I felt unsure about forcing it because I didn't want to be judged by the office staff. When it comes to health and safety, yes I would force. People used to die from strep....

We had a long discussion in the car on the way home. "When it comes to health and safety *I* get to decide. In the future any medical related refusal will be met with very serious consequences".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rapid strep tests often give false negatives. Doctors use their best judgment and prescribe antibiotics if they're pretty sure the symptoms match strep better than a viral infection. That negates the necessity for the strep test, IMO. I'd be up front with the doctor at the beginning of the appointment that the throat swab causes a severe reaction from my child, and we'll try to get it, but I won't physically force her mouth open to do it if it comes to that. I'd ask him to treat her the best way he knows how under those circumstances. A good pediatrician would be accommodating.

That is crazy. You are basically demanding drugs for your child without a proper diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my child is normally very obedient. This refusal surprised me. I was just wondering to what lengths you would go. I was prepared to force it when the Dr. came up with a bribe that worked.
I felt unsure about forcing it because I didn't want to be judged by the office staff. When it comes to health and safety, yes I would force. People used to die from strep....

We had a long discussion in the car on the way home. "When it comes to health and safety *I* get to decide. In the future any medical related refusal will be met with very serious consequences".

Do not worry about the office staff. They have seen it all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is overreacting. I never got this test as a kid bc like the OP I'd push the dr away. No amount of bribing worked. My gag reflex was s d still is horrible and I have severe anxiety when it comes to vomit. Dr gave me meds and sent me on my way after many failed attempts. Just get the meds

They don't give antibiotics for every sniffle like when we were kids. They created some nasty drug-resistant bacteria that way. I doubt they will give meds if the kid doesn't test + for strep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my child is normally very obedient. This refusal surprised me. I was just wondering to what lengths you would go. I was prepared to force it when the Dr. came up with a bribe that worked.
I felt unsure about forcing it because I didn't want to be judged by the office staff. When it comes to health and safety, yes I would force. People used to die from strep....

We had a long discussion in the car on the way home. "When it comes to health and safety *I* get to decide. In the future any medical related refusal will be met with very serious consequences".

Wait, so your kid accepted a bribe and took the test? Problem solved. What's the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"This test if for your health and will last 2 seconds at the most. If you don't cooperate you will lose X privilege for 2 weeks. Would you rather have a 2 second test or no X for 2 weeks?" In a dead serious tone.

Serious question: What if she chooses the loss of a privilege because she hates the throat swab that much? I was that kid and would absolutely have done so if given that choice.

Then I would take that privilege away and pry the mouth open. Seriously. Pinch a nose, or whatever. That test is happening.

.... but that's just what *I* would do with my own kids. When I mean business, I mean it. My kids know this.

So why give the choice in the first place if it's a false choice? If the child doesn't have an option, I wouldn't bother pretending that they did.

I wouldn't give an option. But if the kid won't comply, I am not above forcing compliance in matters of health and safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my child is normally very obedient. This refusal surprised me. I was just wondering to what lengths you would go. I was prepared to force it when the Dr. came up with a bribe that worked.
I felt unsure about forcing it because I didn't want to be judged by the office staff. When it comes to health and safety, yes I would force. People used to die from strep....

We had a long discussion in the car on the way home. "When it comes to health and safety *I* get to decide. In the future any medical related refusal will be met with very serious consequences".

Wait, so your kid accepted a bribe and took the test? Problem solved. What's the issue.

I asked the question because I was prepared to force it. I wondered if that makes me bad or abusive or if others would do the same.
The refusal went on for quite a while. I was on the phone with DH to make him come to the office and hold her down.

Just wanted to know what others would do. Thanks for the input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rapid strep tests often give false negatives. Doctors use their best judgment and prescribe antibiotics if they're pretty sure the symptoms match strep better than a viral infection. That negates the necessity for the strep test, IMO. I'd be up front with the doctor at the beginning of the appointment that the throat swab causes a severe reaction from my child, and we'll try to get it, but I won't physically force her mouth open to do it if it comes to that. I'd ask him to treat her the best way he knows how under those circumstances. A good pediatrician would be accommodating.

ugh, "throat swab causes a severe reaction"? No, the child's reaction was caused be her being a pain in the ass. Now I see how adults that "can't swallow" pills are created.