Saliva sample

Published: 30 June 2012

The fluid used for testing is actually crevicular fluid from the gums. The person being tested swabs an absorbent pad around the outer gums, adjacent to the teeth. The roof of the mouth, the tongue and the inside of the cheek should not be swabbed.

This is minimally invasive and tends to be preferred by people testing. However the OraQuick rapid test has been shown to be less accurate when performed with saliva than with blood samples.

In the medical profession this fluid is normally referred to as 'oral fluid'. In these pages, to makes things simple, we call it 'saliva'.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.