The US Government is paying 100 brave participants 3 thousand dollars each to get the flu on purpose.
The US Government is paying 100 brave participants 3 thousand dollars each to get the flu on purpose.
The National Institutes of Health is conducting a study to better understand the virus so it can improve vaccines.
The vaccines currently available seem to be doing a decent job, but with so much yet to be discovered about how the body keeps the flu at bay, researchers believe they can make them even better.
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That’s where the test subjects come in. Considering all they’ve signed up for, what they’re walking away with is far from easy money.
First of all, the flu can be deadly, thus the prerequisite that participants be in otherwise good health and under the age of 50.
Once they’re cleared for duty the flu virus is shot directly up their noses.
They are also required to stay in a quarantined facility for a minimum of 9 days and until they are no longer contagious.
During that time they’re monitored and tested so the stages of their illness can be tracked and recorded.
It’s not all about being sick, though. Televisions and games are available for those well enough to get out of bed.