For ladies who intend to undergo saliva COVID-19 PCR test, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)  has a reminder: Do not wear lipstick to the test or else your sample will become invalid. 

Dr. Paulyn Ubial, who heads PRC's Molecular Laboratory, said Sunday, January 31 it is not advisable for ladies to wear their lipstick because it may invalidate their saliva sample. 

“Isa pa sa nadiscover namin, sa mga kababaihan bawal po ang nakalipstick. Sumama dun  sa saliva 'yung kulay ng lipstick so nagiging invalid yung sample so magtanggal muna tayo ng lipstick bago tayo magdonate ng saliva,” she told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

(One of the things we discovered, for the ladies, wearing lipstick is prohibited. The color of lipstick goes with the saliva so the sample becomes invalid  so remove your lipstick before you give your saliva sample.)

She also advised those availing themselves of the  non-invasive saliva test not to eat, drink, gargle, smoke or vape for 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment. 

Ubial, former secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) explained that aside from being non-invasive, the saliva PCR test is safe for those who will collect the sample, though they still have to wear personal protective equipment, and is “50 percent lower than the conventional swab test.” She earlier said an individual will only have to pay P2,000 for such test. 

“Ang ganda po ng saliva kasi the specimen is valid at room temperature up to seven days so kahit nasa Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, kayang kayang dalhin kahit na maantala ang barko, puwede pa pong matest ang kanilang samples up to seven days,” she explained. 

(Saliva test is better because specimen is valid at room temperature up to seven days even if you are in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan,  they can be transported even though the ship is delayed, we can test the samples up to seven days.)

The PRC official said currently, the saliva test is only available in Metro Manila, but next week, it will available in all laboratories of Red Cross nationwide.