Welcome to C.A.T.C.H. (Characterizing And Tracking College Health) the Virus Study! Our goal is to figure out what makes people contagious, so we can prevent the spread of disease. With an improved understanding of what contributes to and impacts contagiousness, we may better prepare for – and possibly prevent – future outbreaks of influenza or other acute respiratory infections!

Acute respiratory infections (like the common cold or the flu) have been detrimental to civilizations for centuries. While research has come a long way, the annual influenza epidemic persists – indicating the need for improved understanding of viral transmission. The C.A.T.C.H. the Virus Study is designed to investigate ARI contagiousness and to help make our communities healthier.

You don't need to be sick to participate, and if you sign up you could earn up to $70/month!

The study will last through the Spring Semester 2020. If you're at least 18 years old, a UMD affiliate (student, faculty, staff) or someone who lives within a short distance of the UMD College Park campus, then you may be eligible to be a part of our study. You will be able to fill out a survey and give us snot and other samples, identify contacts like roommates or housemates or anyone you might infect.

If you are a contact of someone with colds or flu who filled out a survey and gave samples, and you live in one of the Cambridge residence halls, you may be able to enroll in follow-up to see if you catch the virus.

Maybe the best part is we'll pay you every time you come in to see us -whether you've caught something, or if someone names you as a close contact.

If you are interested, you can join the research team later this year and learn about how we do this research.

We really need your help to make this work! By participating, you're helping to make great scientific advances that could help create healthier dorms and buildings for everyone.

Contact us at 4242-GOTFLU (424-246-8358) or catch@umd.edu. We hope to meet you soon!

Don Milton, MD, DrPH Professor, School of Public Health and
the C.A.T.C.H. the Virus Study research team

Learn about what we did in the first year of the project (Spring 2017): Summary of Year 1 (GotFlu)