Help fight the flu in Seattle
The flu is awful to have and easy to spread—but you can do something about it. Join the Seattle Flu Study in our effort to fight the flu in our community. Together, we can find new ways to detect, prevent, and treat the disease. And we can make Seattle a model for how to monitor and respond to flu outbreaks. Anyone who lives in Seattle may be eligible to participate in one of our studies. The more people who join the Seattle Flu Study, the faster we can stop the spread of flu.
Why We're Studying the Flu
Today, up to 80,000 people in the United States die from the flu each year, and more than 30 million people get sick and suffer. We know that the flu is spread from person to person, and we know that it causes outbreaks every year. What we don’t know is exactly how it moves through communities, and why certain flu strains are stronger and more dangerous than others. We’re on a mission to change that.
Visit the FAQOnly 10%–20% of people with flu-like symptoms actually have the influenza virus. Others have colds or other illnesses, which means antiviral medications won’t shorten the duration of their illness. Our study aims to ensure that people get the right information at the right time to make the right choices for their health.
Visit the FAQFlu in Seattle
In addition to providing participants with information about their own health, each sample the Seattle Flu Study collects helps increase understanding of how flu viruses and other pathogens are impacting our community. During the 2019-2020 flu season, we are mapping how the flu moves through different areas of in Seattle as well as how common flu infections are as compared to other respiratory infections.
View the Seattle Flu MapHow You Can Help
By joining one of our studies, you can help us find better ways to prevent and treat the flu in Seattle. We have options for families and students, for those who are healthy and for those who might be sick and want an early flu test result right now. Here’s how it works:
1
Join the Seattle Flu Study!
Answer a few questions to find out if you qualify for one of our flu studies. If not, you’ll be invited to join our email list to stay informed about our research and the spread of the flu in Seattle.
2
If you qualify for a study, we’ll ask about your general health and request your ZIP code
Geography matters because we are mapping where the flu is in Seattle.
3
You’ll provide a quick, painless swab from your nose
Sharing this sample allows us to identify the exact germs that are making you sick.
4
You're done!
Feel better soon, and please invite friends, family, and co-workers to join our effort to fight the flu.