SARSLIVA and utility of saliva in diagnosis for wide scale testing, including viral and SARS-CoV-2  antibody detection in pre- and asymptomatic persons and follow-up of infections in COVID-19 patient; a house hold study

Project description Is it possible to detect the new coronavirus COVID-19 in saliva instead of with a nose and throat swab (cotton swab)? And is it also possible to detect antibodies against the virus in saliva instead of blood? This is being investigated in patients with COVID-19 and in housemates who have no complaints (yet). Research and expected outcomes Collecting saliva is simple and less annoying than a nose and throat swab. You can do it yourself. That is why it is being investigated whether the virus is equally detectable in saliva. Because you can collect a larger volume of saliva, it is possible to find a low dose of virus earlier. This applies both before someone becomes ill or with mild complaints, and after the complaints have already disappeared. That is why housemates are also tested and monitored whether they get complaints. In saliva, antibodies against the virus can also be measured. It is therefore examined whether blood tests can be replaced by saliva tests. Saliva may also contain other viruses, bacteria and fungi. It is being investigated what these may contribute to the infection.