Guidance

How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) saliva test

Find out how to do a COVID-19 saliva (spit) test and how you will get your result. Saliva tests are for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

From:
UK Health Security Agency
Published
11 February 2022

This guidance was withdrawn on

This guidance is out of date. Read about the changes to testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) in England.

Saliva tests, also known as a spit test and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) testing, is only available through a registered organisation, such as your school, university or workplace. Your organisation will tell you if they are taking part in LAMP testing.

Saliva testing is usually done once or twice a week. Your organisation will tell you how often you will be testing and which day you need to take your sample. You must return your sample the same day you took it.

Take your sample to your organisation’s LAMP drop-off location and leave it in their collection box. Your organisation will tell you where your drop-off location is.

A courier will collect your sample and take it to a laboratory for testing.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 do not use the saliva test, get a PCR test as soon as possible.

Video: how to take a saliva (spit) sample for COVID-19 testing

Watch a video demonstration of how to take a saliva sample for COVID-19 testing.

Guides in different formats and languages

Find step-by-step guides for how to provide a saliva sample in:

Get help with this test

You can call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines) if you need extra support.

Lines are open every day, 7am to 11pm. 119 provides support in 200 languages.

SignVideo is a free online British Sign Language interpreter service for 119.

Give feedback about your test kit or report harm

If any part of your test kit is damaged or missing, do not use it. You’ll need to use another test kit.

If you’ve been harmed or had a reaction using the test kit, report it as soon as possible.

Find out how to give feedback about your test kit or report harm.

Your test result

The NHS will send your result to you by text message or email in 1 to 2 days. You do not need to report your result.

If you do not have a mobile phone or email address, you need to call 119 to get your test result. You will need your test kit barcode number – the NHS uses this number to match you to your sample. Wait at least 48 hours from dropping off your sample before calling 119 for results.

If you test positive for COVID-19

A positive result means it is very likely that you had COVID-19 when the test was done. You should follow the current government guidelines about isolation. It is not necessary for you to organise another COVID-19 test through the NHS. You can contact 119 if you have any other questions or concerns.

If you test negative for COVID-19

A negative result means it is very unlikely that you had COVID-19 at the time of the test. You can still get the virus in the future. You should continue to follow government guidelines and advice.

Void test result for COVID-19

A void result means that it was not possible for the laboratory to process your sample. This is usually because:

  • there was not enough saliva to test
  • the sample contained food or drink
  • the sample was not sent in the correct tube

If you still do not have symptoms, you should wait until your next test day to take a new sample. Your organisation will tell you when your test day is, it is usually the same day every week. If you have got symptoms, you should get a PCR test as soon as possible.

Published 11 February 2022
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