Frequently Asked Questions5
5 – Why oral fluid tests?
Oral fluid versus Saliva – firstly, let’s get the name sorted out. Oral fluid and saliva are not the same thing. Saliva comes from numerous glands lining the mouth, and is only important in some health tests such as saliva HIV tests that rely on a rich supply of antibodies.
Saliva, on the other hand, consists of saliva plus many other fluids such as sputum from the lungs and throat, and nasal drainage etc.
Now, drugs will permeate the body, irrespective of whether they are ingested, snorted or swallowed. So any oral fluid can be used for drug testing, not just saliva.
Oral fluid is very close to blood serum, so if it’s in the oral fluid it’s in the blood. And of course if it’s in the blood it’s in the brain too, and so the person is impaired by the drug. This view is becoming more widely acknowledged as a test for impairment by drugs, just as it is with alcohol detection. That’s why many companies are turning to oral testing instead of urine testing especially in ‘for cause’ cases. As yet though, there are no ‘legal driving limits’ for driving under the influence of drugs.
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