Space, Spit & Survival
Say, you are an astronaut.
You are floating in the silence of space, and the Earth is glowing peacefully beneath you.
You are thousands of miles away from home and any hospital.
Everything about your body is adapting:
- your muscles,
- bones, and
- the immune system.
And deep inside, a virus that’s been sleeping quietly for years might be waking up.
Can you catch it early, residing in the unfathomable obscurity of space?
Probably yes!
Yes, you might get the viral wake-up call alert through your SPIT!
Sounds strange?
Maybe.
In space, saliva could be a lifesaver!
Everything is hard in microgravity.
When you are orbiting hundreds of kilometres above Earth, every decision related to health matters.
- Drawing blood is difficult.
- Needles float.
- Bubbles form.
That’s why scientists are looking for safer, easier ways to monitor astronauts’ health, and saliva is stepping up.
Collecting spit does not require medical training.
No poking, no special gear.
Just a simple swab or tube.
And what’s amazing? It holds powerful health clues!
Your Spit Tells Stories
Saliva contains:
- Hormones like cortisol reveal how stressed you are.
- Antibodies and enzymes that reflect immune system activity.
- Viral DNA or RNA that shows if hidden viruses are waking up.
For astronauts, this means early detection of health issues, even before symptoms begin!
The Hidden Viruses Within
Did you know that we all carry viruses inside us, dormant, quiet, forgotten?
In space, due to stress and immune shifts, viruses like Epstein-Barr (EBV) or Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can reactivate
On Earth, your body might shrug them off. In space, they could pose real risks.
Saliva has helped researchers detect these reactivations in astronauts during past missions, offering a gentle warning light on their health.
What is next for Spit Science?
Scientists are now developing saliva tests that could be performed on the spacecraft, using small, smart diagnostic devices, like mini health labs.
What we learn from saliva in space could help people back on Earth:
- Remote villages without labs
- Emergency zones after disasters
- Every day checkups without needles
An astronaut quietly collects a saliva sample far from their family and everything familiar. That humble sample could mean early treatment, peace of mind, or even saving a mission.
In zero gravity, what’s happening above us is not just about space.
It is about caring for each other, even in the harshest environments.
So next time you think about saliva (or spit!), don’t wrinkle your nose.
It’s smart science, and possibly the future of medicine!
Dopaminised by: Diak, D. M., Crucian, B. E., Nelman-Gonzalez, M., & Mehta, S. K. (2024). Saliva Diagnostics in Spaceflight Virology Studies—A Review. Viruses, 16(12), 1909.
