University of Iowa Zoonotic Influenza Study  

Storage of Specimen Collection Box

• Remove the cold packs and store the cold packs in the freezer for use during shipment
• The rest of the supplies, including the three tubes (saline for gargle and the two pink transport medias) can be stored at room temperature.

Prior to collecting your specimens for mailing you should:

• have had an oral temperature of >100.5°F ( or 38 0C) and a sore throat or cough for 4 or more hours within the last 4 days
• complete the Influenza-like Illness Questionnaire (for guidelines on filling out questionnaire click here)
• freeze the cooling packs (takes ~30-60 minutes)
• plan to collect and mail the specimens on the same day and preferably in the morning. If possible, avoid mailing specimens on Sunday.  

Specimens may be submitted year-round but only once every 30 days per person.

For more guidelines call the study staff at (319) 335-4981 or at the Emerging Pathogens Laboratory (319) 335-4983, during normal working hours,  

Contents of the specimen collection kit

Shipping box with return address label
Small ice packs (1x1” squares)
Sterile swab wrapped in paper
Questionnaire
Plastic bag with absorbent towel
50ml tube with 5ml of salt water (yellow label with words SALINE GARGLE)
Two 15ml tubes (red caps) with 3ml of pink viral transport media (white label with words REMEL)  

Instructions for Self-Collection Of Gargle Specimen

The purpose of this procedure is to collect some loose cells in your mouth. Do not smoke, eat or drink anything for 30 minutes prior to sample collection. Please carefully follow the instructions below.

1. Wash your hands.
2. The tube labeled GARGLE contains the solution for gargling. Open the container and pour the gargle solution (salt water) into your mouth, without swallowing.
3. Lean your head back and gargle for 30 seconds, then swish the solution around in your mouth vigorously for another 30 seconds. Watch the clock while you do this. It is important that you do not shorten the duration of this procedure. Spit the solution back into the container labeled GARGLE.
4. Open one of the red capped tubes and pour the gargled saline into this tube. Be sure the red top is tightly screwed back onto the tube and discard the empty gargle tube.
5. Write the date on the red-capped Remel tube; place the tube into the plastic bag containing the absorbent towel and securely seal the bag.
6. Please follow the shipping instructions.  

Instructions For Self-Collection Of Nasal Swabs

The purpose of this procedure is to collect a specimen from your nose. Do not smoke, eat or drink anything for 30 minutes prior to sample collection. Please carefully follow the instructions below.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Sit or stand in a comfortable position.
3. Open the swab wrapper from the end opposite the swab. Handle only the top half of the plastic handle. Do not touch the swab or lay the swab down after removing it from the wrapper.
4. Tilt your head back slightly and slowly insert the swab (parallel to the roof of your mouth) into one of your nostrils (use the nostril which you think has the most secretions). Use a gentle rotation to push the swab into the nose (either side) until some slight resistance is felt. Do not insert the swab more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) into your nose. Rotate the swab 3-4 times. Leave the swab in place for 3 seconds to absorb secretions.
5. Carefully remove the swab, without touching the tip to other surfaces, and place the swab in the second red capped Remel tube (do not put it into the Remel tube containing the Gargle).
6. While grasping the swab handle place the swab about half way into the tube and snap it off by bending the top part of the plastic handle down. Discard the top portion of the plastic handle and securely screw the red cap back onto the tube. Place the tube into the plastic bag containing the absorbent towel and securely seal the bag.
7. Please follow the shipping instructions.

Shipping Instructions

• Place the frozen cold packs into the white screw cap container.
• Place the closed Ziploc plastic bag, containing the two red capped Remel tubes (the gargle and nasal swab specimens) and the absorbent towel, inside the round plastic shipping container and screw the cap on tightly.
• Fold the questionnaire and wrap it around the OUTSIDE of the white plastic specimen container.
• Insert the white plastic container into the box
• Write your return address on the outside of the box and seal the box with tape.
• The mailing postage is prepaid. You may drop the box off at a post office, in a collection box, or give it to a postal carrier. Please try to mail the box in the morning so that it will arrive to the University of Iowa within 48 hours. If possible, avoid shipping the specimen during a Sunday when mail service is not available.
• Please call (319) 335-4981 and leaving your name and your phone number, tell us you are shipping specimens to us.

As the laboratory work we plan to perform on your specimens will take months to complete, these test results will not be useful to you or your clinician. Therefore, regarding care for your illness, you should seek the attention of normal health care provider.

Shortly after we receive your samples we will send you another kit. You may submit one sample kit to us every thirty days.

Thanks for your help with this important study,

The Zoonotic Influenza Study Team
Emerging Pathogens Laboratory
Epidemiology Dept, Univ. of Iowa College of Public Health
Oakdale Research Park, MTF B145
2501 Crosspark Rd
Coralville, IA 52241-8802