Normally, you avoid getting sick, but would you willingly contract the flu for a sweet $3,000? Researchers are hoping that a check for $3,100 will entice people to join a study that looks at how the body reacts to the flu virus. This may allow researchers to develop better treatments and vaccinations, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“NIAID investigators have been pioneers in contemporary human influenza challenge trials,” department Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., said in a statement. “These trials provide a powerful tool to study many aspects of influenza disease progression and also can help to efficiently assess new treatments and vaccine candidates.”

For the clinical trial, scientists are looking for healthy adults between 18 and 49 years old who are willing to stay at one of several research clinics for at least a week. A strain of seasonal influenza developed by scientists will be administered via a nasal spray. In most people, this strain produces mild to moderate flu symptoms, says the National Institute of Health.

During their stay, volunteers will be subjected to blood samples and nasal and throat swabs. Symptoms are monitored daily and volunteers will need to appear at the clinic for several follow-up visits after the initial stay.

The clinical trials will be conducted at: University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Duke University in North Carolina; and Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development.

More information can be found at the Universities’ individual websites.

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