If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, we’ll work to make the process as smooth as possible. We test patients ages three months and older. You may want to prepare your child for the fact that the tester will be in full personal protective equipment (PPE), which may be scary for them. Explain that wearing these protective coverings helps keep everyone safe. Thin nasal swabs are quickly inserted into the patient’s nose to collect the specimen. Parents may be asked to hold their child’s head during testing. Afterward, your child may cough or even have some slight nose bleeding – this is normal. Please be aware that if your child is combative or resistant to the test, we will do our best to complete the test but only if it’s safe for both the tester and your child. If you have additional concerns, please let us know when making your appointment.