Why was I selected?

You were randomly selected (like drawing numbers from a hat) because you live in or near Marshfield, Wisconsin or previously participated in a similar study.

Why should I join?

People often get sick with respiratory and GI symptoms. With your help, we can learn how often these germs cause illness and the best ways to prevent them.

Can I volunteer if I did not get an invitation letter?

Children under 5 years of age can volunteer without an invitation. Everyone else will need to be selected for invitation to be eligible to participate.

Can I volunteer if I don’t have any symptoms?

Yes, you can volunteer. You do not have to have symptoms to participate in this study. 

Is my participation voluntary?

Yes. You should agree to be in the study without feeling pressured. You can decide not to be in the study at any time and that decision will be respected.

Is the blood draw required to participate?

The blood draw is required for people who would like to join and are older than 5 years of age. The blood draw will help us learn more about infections that do not cause symptoms or illness and immune responses to infection and vaccination. The blood draw is optional for children under 5 years of age.   

Are there any potential benefits to participating?

If you provide a nose swab, you will find out if you have influenza, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Information from this study will help inform efforts to prevent respiratory and GI illnesses. 

Will I get paid to be in the study?

You will receive payment for your time to complete specific study activities. You will be paid via a virtual or physical ClinCard Visa Prepaid Card. Click on the following links for more information on the virtual or physical card.

Virtual Card FAQ

Physical Card FAQ

How will my samples be used?

We will test your nose swab for several germs that can cause respiratory illnesses. These include:

  • Influenza (flu)
  • SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Adenovirus
  • Seasonal coronavirus
  • Human metapneumovirus
  • Rhinovirus or enterovirus (common cold viruses)
  • Parainfluenza
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae

If your test is positive for influenza, COVID-19, or RSV, we will let you know and add the result in your medical record. However, we are unable to share results for the other germs with you at this time.

To learn more about common respiratory viruses visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/respiratory.htm

We will test your stool sample for various germs that commonly cause diarrheal illnesses. These include:

  • Adenovirus F40/41
  • Astrovirus
  • Norovirus
  • Rotavirus A
  • Sapovirus
  • Campylobacter
  • Clostridium difficile
  • Plesiomonas shigelloides
  • Salmonella
  • Yersinia enterocolitica
  • Vibrio
  • Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
  • Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
  • Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
  • Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)/Shigella
  • E. coli O157
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Entamoeba histolytica

Currently, we are unable to provide individual test results for these germs.

Your saliva and blood samples may be used to measure antibody levels against common respiratory or gastrointestinal germs. Antibodies are special proteins made by your immune system to help protect you from illness. Saliva and blood samples may also be used to assess how your body responds after an illness or after receiving a vaccine. We are unable to provide individual test results from your saliva or blood samples.

We will not test your samples for your DNA or other genetic information. The germs found in your sample may be examined using their genetic makeup to determine the exact type or strain.

Your left-over samples will be stored for use in future research. Your left-over samples can be used for research only if the research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board, or IRB.

The overall results of the study will be posted on the study website (www.marshfieldresearch.org/pacc) once they are ready.

What should I do if I stop receiving weekly survey text messages?

To ensure you receive all weekly surveys, please add 715-997-8847 to your contacts as “PACC-ER study.”

Please click on the following link for additional options for troubleshooting if you have stopped receiving our messages.

https://marshfieldresearch.org/Media/Default/CCEPH/Documents/PACC-ER_ReceivingTextMsgs.pdf 

Who is paying for this study?

This study is funded by ModernaTX, Inc.