Ok, of course it does, but in this case I am talking about sample size. I recently had an oral mucosa rapid test. As i was using the goober stick to swipe my gums I realized the stick really looked no different then before I used it. With blood tests medical professionals can definitely tell if they have an adequate amount of sample for testing, but how can one tell if enough oral fluids were gathered to give an accurate result? Wouldn't the results both be negative if an unused stick was used and if a positive person used the stick but there just wasnt enough sample on the swab to give an accurate test?

Hey,

Relax Max! If your "gooberstick" didn't have an adequate amount of goober goop, the oral test would read out "invalid," not "negative." (The "control" line would not appear). See below.

(And yes, in most cases size does indeed matter.)

Dr. Bob

What if mouth swab not propertly taken? Apr 14, 2008

Dr. Bob,

I had a NEGATIVE antibody test at the State dept of health using the oral test 12 MONTHS after my last exposure. I sent in a small donation subsequently and watched your wonderful video CD repeatedly.

Anyway, my question is, do we get a negative result even when the cotton pad didn't pick up the tissues properly, or if it was improperly transported or improperly preserved? (or does it show a message to the effect "sample not collected properly")?

Your answer will put mine and a thousand others' mind to rest I am sure, so please, please, respond.

Thanks!! Ronnie

Response from Dr. Frascino

Hey Ronnie,

If the sample is inadequate or improperly collected, you will get an invalid result, not a negative. So now you and "a thousand others" can relax, OK?

Thanks for your donation to the Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation (www.concertedeffort.org). I'm delighted you enjoyed our DVD! I'm impressed you watched it "repeatedly!"

Be well. Stay well. (You are indeed "well!")

Dr. Bob