US Medical Term · tests
Sweat Test (Sweat Chloride Test)
Prueba del sudor
Also: Prueba de cloruro en sudor (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Sweat Test (Sweat Chloride Test) |
| Spanish (Español) | Prueba del sudor |
| Chinese (中文) | 汗液氯化物測試 |
| Korean (한국어) | 땀 검사 (땀 염화물 검사) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Xét nghiệm mồ hôi |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Sweat Test |
| Portuguese (Português) | Teste do suor |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตรวจเหงื่อ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 汗試験（発汗塩素試験） |
What it means
The sweat test, also called the sweat chloride test, is the primary test used to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF). It measures the amount of chloride (salt) in sweat. A gel or powder containing a medicine called pilocarpine is placed on the skin of the forearm and a mild electrical current is applied for about five minutes — a painless process called iontophoresis — to stimulate sweating. The sweat is then collected on special paper and analyzed. People with cystic fibrosis have much higher chloride levels in their sweat than average. The test is most commonly performed in children but can be done at any age. Results are usually available the same day.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My baby needs a sweat test — what happens during the procedure and will it hurt?
Mi bebé necesita la prueba del sudor — ¿qué pasa durante el procedimiento y dolerá?
What sweat chloride level means my child has cystic fibrosis?
¿Qué nivel de cloruro en sudor indica que mi hijo tiene fibrosis quística?
How long does the sweat test take and when will we get the results?
¿Cuánto dura la prueba del sudor y cuándo recibiremos los resultados?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026