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The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) is now considering using saliva tests for the crown instead of the rods that are inserted into the nose.
– It’s something we’re seeing now. It is too early to conclude, but it is considered. It will certainly ease the burden on those who are sampled, says Vold.
She explains:
– The reason we consider saliva as a test medium is that it is easier for the person to take a sample. Especially in children, who may be afraid to take the test, for example. If they’ve taken it once, they may object the next time because it’s a bit uncomfortable, says department director Line Vold at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH).
Turn the evidence around before Christmas
Relationship
Last week, FHI released a report that concluded that saliva samples are slightly less accurate than today’s tests, in which a cotton swab is inserted into the nose and throat. But the precision can be high enough that they can be used.
– Our knowledge brief shows that it is relatively sensitive. It turns out that the sensitivity is possibly somewhat lower when saliva is used, but it’s still considered good, Vold says.
However, saliva testing may not be implemented.
– We must also consider other factors. Among other things, equipment, transport of the sample and the need for procedures in the laboratories to receive the samples. This should be clarified if it is to be used, says the department director.
Saliva tests should not be confused with so-called rapid tests. More than a million rapid covid-19 tests have been sent to municipalities in the country, but they are also taken with cotton swabs in the upper respiratory tract. The difference is that you get answers in 15 minutes, but they are also less accurate.
review
In their report, FHI concludes that the accuracy of saliva samples compared to typical corona samples taken from the upper respiratory tract is probably somewhat lower in terms of sensitivity.
Sensitivity is the probability that a sick or infected person will receive a positive response to the test.
However, in terms of specificity, which is the probability that a healthy person will test negative, the saliva sample scores high.
FHI has reviewed a total of 27 tests out of a total of 7,065 paired airway and saliva samples. However, they do make several reservations that there may be biases and other factors that affect the analyzes.
