Spit test vs. nose swab: which catches COVID best?

NCT ID NCT04613310

Completed Diagnosis Sponsor: Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisante), University of Lausanne, Switzerland Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested 949 adults with COVID-19 symptoms to see how well saliva samples work compared to standard nasopharyngeal swabs. Each participant gave four samples: saliva for a rapid test and for PCR, and a nasal swab for both tests. The goal was to find out which combination detects the virus most effectively, with the hope that easier, self-collected saliva tests could speed up testing and reduce discomfort.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Diagnostic test (PCR and rapid antigen test on saliva and nasopharyngeal swabs)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that self-collected saliva tests are as reliable as nasal swabs, making COVID-19 testing faster, easier, and less painful.
What could go wrong: This is a completed study comparing test methods, not a treatment. Rapid tests may be less sensitive than PCR, and results may not apply to asymptomatic people or other variants.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

COVID-19

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COVID-19 SARS-COV-2

Contacts and locations

Locations

Unisanté

Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, 1011, Switzerland

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