Do children under three years old need to undergo nucleic acid testing when visiting the hospital?

Children under three years of age typically require a nucleic acid test (NAT) before visiting a hospital; the specific requirement depends on the local epidemic risk level.

NAT detects viral nucleic acid—commonly from respiratory specimens (e.g., nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs), blood, or stool—to determine whether the body has been invaded by an exogenous virus and to confirm infection with SARS-CoV-2. Children under three generally have lower immune resistance and are highly susceptible to viral infection. Thus, if the local area is classified as medium- or high-risk, NAT is usually mandatory before hospital visits. Even in low-risk areas or where no confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases have been reported, NAT is still recommended for safety.

When preparing a child for NAT, avoid feeding them anything for approximately two hours beforehand, as eating may trigger nausea or vomiting during sample collection. Ensure the child gets adequate rest to prevent fatigue. During NAT collection, maintain a minimum distance of two meters between individuals to minimize the risk of cross-infection.