A study of Coronavirus infection in the Isle of Wight Whole Population Birth Cohort

You may remember that you are part of the world famous Isle of Wight Birth Cohort. More than 70% of you participated in the last assessment at the age of 26 years. This study has already contributed enormously to the knowledge of asthma and allergy, with more than 100 scientific papers, and has helped clinicians all over the world in better managing asthma and allergic diseases.

Now the world is struggling with a new threat that has impacted all our lives and caused huge suffering worldwide. Coronavirus infection is generally mild in children and young adults and they recover quickly. Indeed, many would have so mild an infection that they do not know about it or would have regarded the symptoms as due to a mild cold or flu. Nonetheless, the short- and long-term effects of this mild or asymptomatic infection in young adults are not yet known. We are planning to study these effects in the cohort participants. Therefore, we are asking you to let us know if you developed symptoms suggestive of Coronavirus, and the NHS helpline advised you to isolate yourself, or if you had a positive test for Coronavirus. We would like to gain a bit more information on the symptoms and duration of your illness and take a blood sample to look for the effect of Coronavirus on your immune system.

We would really welcome your involvement!

Please take the time to read the Information Sheet and then visit the website below to complete a short online questionnaire:

Best Wishes

Prof. S. Hasan Arshad and the Isle of Wight Birth Cohort Study Team