Guidelines on how to collect, store, handle, and ship saliva have changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please see our recommendations here: Collecting Saliva During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Passive Drool Collection – Instructions
Recommended for those ages 6+.
- Rinse out mouth with water at least 10 minutes prior to collection. Do not eat or drink anything again prior to collecting.
- Open tube and place straw or saliva collection aid in tube. Saliva collection aid should be placed in tube firmly so that the ridged end is in the tube, and the smooth end faces out of the tube.
- Let saliva collect in the bottom of your mouth. Resist the urge to swallow.
- Gently guide the saliva in to the tube through the straw or aid. Do not blow or force saliva in – it may overflow or cause bubbling.
- Once desired amount has been collected, recap tube.
- Wipe down outside of the tube with an alcohol swab and place into the freezer.
- Wash your hands.
Adult Swab Collection – Instructions
Recommended for those ages 6+.
- Rinse out mouth with water 10 minutes prior to collecting. Do not eat or drink again before collecting.
- Place swab underneath tongue to absorb saliva. Leave in mouth for 2 minutes or as directed.
- Uncap tube and guide swab into tube.
- Recap tube and wipe down outside of tube with an alcohol swab.
- Freeze sample immediately.
- Wash your hands.
Shipping Saliva Samples – Instructions
Learn how to ship saliva samples to IISBR according to DOT and IATA guidelines.
Laboratory and Shipping Address:
Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research
University of California, Irvine
210 Social Ecology I, Room 126
Irvine, CA 92697
949-824-1586
iisbr@uci.edu
