What is the PATROL RSV Study?
A common cause of runny noses, coughs and fever, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation for children under the age of five in Australia.
Most the information we currently have about RSV is from children who attend hospital with severe illness. We have very little knowledge around how many infections with mild or zero symptoms occur in the community, and we would like to understand how often young children get RSV each year.
For the PATROL Study, which stands for Parents Actively Tracking RSV in Little Ones, we are looking for parents to monitor for symptoms and swab for RSV when your child is unwell.
Who can take part?
Children aged less than five years who attend one of the following for a minimum of two days per week are eligible to take part:
- Centre-based care such as day care
- Registered family day care
- Kindergarten/pre-school
Families must be located in the Perth metropolitan area with no plans to move out of the region within the study period.
What does the study involve?
Participation in the PATROL RSV Study includes:
- Completing a child enrolment survey
- Conducting nasal swabs at four specific time points throughout the 12-month study period
- Conducting nasal swabs, rapid antigen tests (RAT) and surveys when your child becomes unwell
- Checking in with the PATROL team throughout the study period
Further information
This study has been approved by the Child and Adolescent Health Service Ethics Committee.
For more information or to get involved email STAMP_RSV@thekids.org.au