ORegon CHild Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study-Air Surveillance (ORCHARDS-AIR)

Eligibility Criteria

A student may be eligible if:

1. They have a cold or the flu or believe they may be coming down with a cold or the flu.
2. They have two or more of the following symptoms:
   • Nasal discharge (runny nose)
   • Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
   • Sneezing
   • Sore throat
   • Cough
   • Fever

A student may be ineligible if:

1. They would be unable to do a nasal swab sample.
2. Their illness started more than seven days ago.
3. Their household participated in the study less than 30 days ago.

How to Participate

Call 608-265-3164 to hear more information, go over screening questions, and set up a time for study staff to drop off study kits if eligible and interested. For students under 18, a parent or guardian must call. A study coordinator will typically drop off supplies within 24 hours. Families will self-collect a nasal swab on the day the study kit is dropped off, and again in three, six, and nine days for a total of four samples per person. Study personnel will pick up the first samples the next day, and the remaining samples after day nine.

An air sampling device and CO2 monitor (if available) will also be dropped off with the study kit. This device will be used in a shared area of the home during the nine days your family is in the study. You will be asked to change the air filter at days three, six, and nine, which will be picked up by study personnel after day nine with the remaining household specimens. Research staff will also pick up the air sampling device and CO2 monitor with these specimens.  

Age-appropriate assent/consent forms will be included with your study kits. These are for your records and do not need to be signed or returned to us.

The collection forms will be sent to each participating family by text or email and include questions on demographic information, illness-related information, vaccination status, and air sampling. Each participating family will receive $100 for their time.

Students may participate in this study more than once. There must be 30 days between illness episodes in order to participate again.

How This Study Benefits the Community

Because this study involves testing for influenza and COVID-19, early detection of these viruses in the school system could help prevent them from spreading.

Study Information and Promotion

Because this study involves a large portion of the Oregon community, we plan to promote this study throughout the area and provide families with as much information as possible.

In the schools:

• If you call the attendance line to notify the school of your child’s absence, the recording will remind you of the opportunity to participate in the study if your child is absent due to cold or flu. Note: Your child does NOT have to be absent to participate.
• If students go home sick during the day, the health office will provide them with a postcard about the study.
• If your child receives rapid influenza/SARS-CoV-2 testing in the school health office, they will receive a postcard about the study.
• Emails will be sent to students’ parents.
• Postcards will be mailed to each Oregon School District household.