You could be paid $1,600 for catching the common cold on purpose
There are few feelings worse than knowing you're coming down with a cold. Your nose starts to run, you lose your voice, your head is pounding, and then come the aches.
All the warm chicken soup and honey-laden cups of tea won't help you really get over the common cold, and sometimes, it's just better to feel sorry for yourself.
It's a well-known fact that there's no cure for the common cold, and because it’s caused by viruses instead of bacteria, antibiotics are completely ineffective.
The average adult tends to catch between two and three common colds every year, so we're not sure why you'd go out of your way to get another.
Advert
Then again, if someone offered you up to $1,600 to catch the common cold for the purpose of science, would that change your mind?
What is the BARRIER Study?
Imperial College London is looking for 54 participants to take part in the BARRIER Study, with health researchers analyzing how the common cold can develop into a much more serious problem for people who suffer from bronchiectasis.
The team explains how they're looking for 36 people diagnosed with bronchiectasis and 18 who are considered 'healthy'. All 54 must be aged between 18 and 65, with selected patients being deliberately infected with the common cold, known as rhinovirus A-16.
Those chosen will be given a spray of rhinovirus 16 into their noses in a procedure called virus inoculation.
Funded by the Medical Research Council and sponsored by Imperial College London, the study was reviewed and approved by the UK's Health Research Authority, as well as Health and Care Research Wales.
Those who are eligible to take part will be compensated £1,200 for their time and travel expenses, which works out to $1,600.
Given that the common cold typically lasts between seven and 10 days, and most people are able to carry on as normal with one, that $1,600 might sound tempting. But wait...
Who is eligible for the BARRIER Study?
A more detailed patient sheet reveals exactly what's involved, with the fine print making things a little more challenging. As you might've noticed, the fact that it's based at London's St Mary's Hospital means it's a bit far for those living in the USA.
Even then, there's a mention that participation will last around 10 weeks and require you to attend St Mary's Hospital 13 times. Again, this might be one for those living in the immediate area.
Screening tests on people suffering from bronchiectasis will determine their current symptoms and medications, how well controlled it is, and any other medical conditions, with the team deciding whether your bronchiectasis is considered too mild or severe.
During the study, tests will measure the amount of air in your lungs, how much nitric oxide you're exhaling, sputum collection, blood tests, stool samples, a single chest X-Ray, and more.
There are also two bronchoscopy tests where a telescopic tube is passed into the lungs.
The fine print mentions potential side effects like excessive mucus production in the aftermath of the study, while risks include potentially discovering something like an additional respiratory illness.
In terms of the money, it's noted that the study doesn't specifically pay you for taking part, but instead, the maximum £1,200/$1,600 is to reimburse for time and travel expenses.
This isn't simply a case of being paid $1,600 to catch a cold and sit at home, with the BARRIER Study requiring sometimes invasive medical testing, several weeks of follow-up appointments, and full research commitment.
Still, if you meet the criteria and fancy being (potentially) $1,600 richer after being purposefully dosed with the common cold, you're told to contact the study team at [email protected].