Here’s what participating in a human challenge trial for dysentery is like. They give you the disease and then try treating it, in this case with bacteriophage therapy. “I made plans to spend my 30th birthday in a dysentery ward.”
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Discussion 1 comment
I missed a Thanksgiving when I was in college participating in a challenge trial to see whether interferon worked on the common cold. Wow, that was 40 years ago. We were holed up in a hotel and were only allowed to talk to each other from our doorways. Even though we were allowed to talk to each other, it was still very isolating. I felt weird afterwards and can't image what prisoners in solitary confinement feel once they have to interact with others.
In another part of the hotel, they were challenging the flu. I remember the medical students shaking their heads that anyone would risk that. It was my first indication about how dangerous the flu can be.
I really needed the money. I wouldn't advise anyone else to do it, though.
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