University of Maryland Researchers Perform Flu Study

As a part of the research efforts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health are studying how influenza is spread in hopes of protecting people from a pandemic.

University of Maryland researchers working on the study include Dr. Don Milton, Dr. Sheryl Ehrman, and Dr. Min Qi Wang.

The study is looking for participants above the age of 13 to fill out a basic questionnaire and then fill out weekly surveys regarding any experience with an acute illness or vaccination. If the participant has symptoms, he or she will be asked a few, more specific questions regarding symptoms, onset, exposures, medical care, and treatment. Participants are entered to win prizes based upon how many weeks they filled out surveys. If a participant presents symptoms, they may be invited to donate swabs, cough samples or exhaled breath sample to be compensated up to $300.

Data from the study is expected to help researchers understand and track the spread of the flu virus.

For more information, or to be a participant, visit: http://gotflu.org/home.aspx

October 16, 2012