Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe sickness and, at times, lead to death.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 are hospitalized from complications, and about 36,000 die from flu-related causes.

Older individuals (65 years or older), young children, and people with certain health conditions, such as pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease – are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Diagnosing the flu can be difficult based on symptoms alone. Some symptoms of the flu are the same as other illnesses, including the common cold. Flu-like symptoms can include high fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, a dry cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

The best way to help prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. Because the flu virus constantly changes, however, the flu vaccine cannot always prevent someone from getting sick. It can, however, make the flu symptoms less severe.

Other preventative measures that should be taken to avoid getting the flu include frequent hand-washing with soap and water, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and shielding the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

Coastal Carolina Research Center has conducted more than 250 clinical trials over the past 10 years, including several pertaining to the seasonal flu. We have ongoing seasonal flu clinical trials during the flu season that we recruit volunteers for. Our clinical trial participants receive free flu vaccine, clinical study-related health care at no cost and monetary compensation is provided.

If you are interested in being considered for our next seasonal flu studies, please click here to submit your interest, and the next seasonal flu study we obtain we will contact you if you fit the criteria .