By now we're all pretty familiar with the way COVID-19 tests work. You get either a nose or throat swab (or both) and wait a bit for the results. This can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the type of test you take.
However, for some people who constantly have to take COVID-19 tests out of necessity, they start to get really uncomfortable. Even for first-timers, it's not exactly a pleasant experience, to say the least.
Scientists in Thailand have developed a new device that tests for COVID-19 based on armpit sweat as opposed to conventional swabs.
IMAGE: AFP / Channel News Asia
And at least among the several Bangkok market vendors that have tested it, the armpit sweat device has been given a unanimous thumbs up. The tests have been billed as 95 percent accurate, and researchers hope that the device will get full approval for a public rollout, after further development.
If things end up working out, the sweat-based device is expected to be an extremely popular alternative to costly lab-involved COVID-19 swab tests.
A team from Chulalongkorn University collect sweat samples from Bangkok market vendors. IMAGE: AFP / The Straits Times
“From the samples, we found that people infected with COVID-19 secrete very distinct chemicals,” said Chadin Kulsing of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
“We used this finding to develop a device to detect the specific odors produced by certain bacteria in the sweat of COVID-19 patients.”
Chadin Kulsing inspects the sweat-based COVID-19 detector. IMAGE: AFP / The Straits Times
The way it works is also quick and easy. First, subjects place a cotton swab under their armpit for about 15 minutes. After that, the swab is then put inside a glass vial and sterilized with UV rays.
"The technician then draws an appropriate amount of the sample using a suction hose, and pressurizes it into the analyzer to check the results," Chadin explained.
All in all, sample collection takes 15 minutes and the results will be ready in about 30 seconds.
IMAGE: APF / The Times Of Israel
According to the Bangkok market vendors that tested the device, they say it's much more pleasant to deal with while they go about their work.
"This sweat test is more convenient because I get to work while waiting for the results," a 43-year-old watermelon seller told AFP.
"With the PCR test, I'd have to be at a testing center, sit and wait for the result, and it just wastes my time."
Would you rather have your armpit sweat tested or stick to traditional swabs?
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Cover image sourced from AFP / Channel News Asia and AFP / Gulf News.
