What happens if someone, including a child, cannot produce an acceptable saliva specimen?

What happens if someone, including a child, cannot produce an acceptable saliva specimen?

Our supportive collection site staff members can help you produce a sufficient saliva sample. However, in order to complete the test, an acceptable saliva specimen is  required (i.e., no food, liquids, or other substances in the mouth for one hour prior). For younger children, we can provide a curriculum designed to guide them through the steps and the  reasons for the test.


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    • How does the testing process work?

      The test is self-administered and non-invasive. After checking in with a collection site staff member, you will receive a vial to deposit a small amount of saliva into. Then, you place the vial in a collection rack and leave the collection site.
    • How is the test specimen disposed of after testing?

      Test specimens are safely and permanently destroyed once testing is completed in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency rules and regulations. Negative, inconclusive, invalid, and rejected specimens are immediately discarded to be ...
    • How do I add community testing (or other agency) to my child's profile?

      If your dependent child tests with SHIELD Illinois at school or camp and you would like to take them to a SHIELD Illinois community testing site for additional testing, you will first need to add the community testing agency to your child's profile. ...
    • How can I access my child's results?

      Parents or guardians can access the results of their dependent minor enrolled in SHIELD Illinois program by creating an account in the parent's name and connecting to the existing record of the dependent minor by matching four unique identifiers of ...
    • How much saliva does a person need to produce for a test?

      You will need to provide around 2mL of saliva (not bubbles) for the sample to be processed correctly (the vials used will often have a marking noting how much saliva is  needed).