About

Covid-Flush Graphic

About the Project and Resources for Participants

  • The study team will explain the study to potential participants and obtain informed consent/assent (from participant and/or legal guardian).
  • We will collect stool samples at enrollment and then once per week for 35 days. We will send stool collection supplies using a courier service. We will provide instructions for how to collect your stool and send it back to us.
  • We will collect nasal swabs at enrollment and then once per week for 35 days. We will send the supplies for this swab with the stool collection kit along with instructions for how to do the swab. You will send the swab back to us each time with your stool sample. Watch an instructional video (mov) on how to properly collect nasal swabs.
  • We will collect a blood sample from you when you enroll and at the end of the study period, aka Day 35. You will be asked to do a dried blood spot (DBS). For a DBS, you will prick a finger and place 5 drops of blood on a DBS card. We will send the supplies for the DBS to your house along with instructions. You will send the DBS card back with the stool sample and throat swab. Watch an instructional video (mov) on how to properly collect a DBS.
    • Optional blood sample: If you are able to come to the Washington University School of Medicine Campus, we will collect a vial of blood (10ml) from you when you enroll and at the end of the study period, aka Day 35. This is a total of 20ml of blood.
  • We will ask you questions about yourself over the phone, on paper, or on a secure online survey. We will ask about:
    • your background
    • health status
    • if you had COVID-19 in the past
    • if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19
    • your current COVID-19 symptoms and when they started
    • past and current treatments for COVID-19
    • how often you have bowel movements and what your stool is like on a normal day

Resources

For more information about COVID-19, please refer to the CDC website. Here you will find information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, and infection rates by county. You will also find information about how to protect yourself if you are exposed to COVID-19 and how to care for yourself or others who have COVID-19.