All eligible participants will be asked to voluntarily provide informed consent to take part in the study. For participants under the age of 18, assent will be obtained from the minor student, along with consent from a parent or legal guardian.
At each study visit, participants will provide a blood draw and saliva. They will be compensated with $35 for each completed study visit.
Secondary students
Screening
Eligible participants will first attend a screening visit to test if they have previously been infected with EBV.
Follow-up
Those who have not previously been infected with EBV are invited for the follow-up study participation; participants will be asked to attend study visits 3 times per school year to monitor for new infections or the onset of mono-like symptoms.
- If the participant never becomes infected with EBV, their study participation ends at graduation (maximum of 3 academic years of participation for secondary 3 students).
- If the participant becomes infected with EBV during follow-up, they are asked to attend only one visit post-infection and to remotely track their symptoms closely for up to 6 months. Study participation then ends.
CEGEP and University students
Screening
Eligible participants will first attend a screening visit to test if they have previously been infected with EBV.
Follow-up
Those who have not previously been infected with EBV are invited for the follow-up study participation; participants will be asked to attend study visits every four weeks to monitor for new infections or the onset of mono-like symptoms.
- If the participant never becomes infected with EBV, their study participation ends after 2 academic years.
- If the participant becomes infected with EBV during follow-up, they will be monitored closely for 6 months via study visits and remote tracking of their symptoms, followed by bi-annual study visits until graduation, then annual study visits for an additional 2 years. Study participation then ends.
Participation is entirely voluntary, and students may withdraw from the study at any time without consequence. All data collected will be kept strictly confidential and handled according to McGill University’s ethical research standards.