How to take an Oral Fluid Swab

Updated February 2025

The oral fluid swab test kit contains:

• one foam swab and clear tube in paper packet
• one self-adhesive clear plastic bag (containing a white absorbent strip)
• one cardboard box
• one request form
• pale blue security label to seal box closed
• one label for test tube

Instructions for use:

1. Write the date of sample on the label and on the request form. Stick the label to the clear tube.
2. Swab the gum line for 2 minutes.
3. Replace foam swab in clear tube and replace lid.
4. Place clear tube into self-adhesive clear bag.  Do not remove the white absorbent strip.  Push air out of bag.  Peel back the strip from the top of the bag and fold down the top of the bag to seal it. Ensure the bag is fully sealed. Now wash your hands.
5. Place form with the clear bag containing the sample into cardboard box. Close the cardboard box and use the security label to seal the edge of the box where marked, but do not cover the address or barcodes on the Royal Mail label.
6. Do not forget to seal the box and ensure the address and barcodes are not covered by the seal and then you can post it into any Royal Mail postbox.

A pictogram of these instructions is available to download.

A video is available illustrating how to take the oral fluid test can be found at:

Please note, the outer grey plastic envelope for returning the swab, illustrated in the original video, is no longer required.  The sample should be packaged and sealed as detailed above.