­­RADx COVID-19, Flu, and RSV Test Research Study

Purpose of Study

We are partnering with the National Institutes of Health's Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) program to assess new rapid COVID-19, flu, RSV, and other respiratory tests for accuracy and usability. 

If you participate in this study, you will receive a no-cost polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID or another respiratory infection test. You may also receive a rapid test kit with instructions to perform a test on yourself or your child. Additionally, we may ask that you give another sample that may include a nasal swab, throat swab, saliva or blood (fingerstick). 

Participant Eligibility

We are looking for test samples and feedback from children and adults experiencing cold or respiratory symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19, influenza, RSV or other respiratory viruses, including:

• Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea and diarrhea.

• Participants must be experiencing symptoms and must be within 7 days of symptoms onset.

•  Participants must be ages 2 and older. Some testing allows for children ages 6 months and older.  All children under the age of 18 require a guardian consent to participate.

Our eligibility criteria are subject to change based on current operations. See any changes in requirements below:

As of 7/29/25, participants experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or flu must be within 6 days of symptom onset and experiencing 2 symptoms on the day of the visit. (If positive for Group Strep A, must participate within 24 hours from 1st antibiotic dose.)

Compensation

You will receive a $50 gift card to Walmart, Target, or another retailer when available or a personal payment card. 

Test Location Hours

Monday - Friday

9:00am - 4:00pm

Location of Study*

Emory Children's Center**

2015 Uppergate Drive

Atlanta, GA 30322

*beginning 8/1/25

**or alternate Emory location

Reminder: appointments are required.

Visit Scheduling

A study coordinator will contact you to confirm the appointment at the Emory Children's Center. Valet parking will be validated. The appointment will be held inside the building in the Research Unit on the 1st floor. Study staff will meet you in the lobby. 

If your registration includes a child (ages 18 years or under), research staff will reach out to schedule you and/or your child at a Children's location nearest to you.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the study and want to learn more, email our research team at radxcovid@emory.edu. 

Seeking Free Covid Testing Outside the Research Study?

A map of all Georgia kiosks and over-the-counter testing locations is available through Georgia Department of Public Health’s Free COVID Tests Dashboard. 

Follow the link above to find a location near you. For details related to this resource, read the City of Atlanta’s News Posting from September 2023 or go to the Georgia Department of Public Health's COVID-19 website for more information.