A Trial of Vitamin D and Health Advice for the Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Rhinovirus, Infections
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections focused on measuring upper respiratory tract infections, rhinovirus infections, vitamin D
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Current or part-time student at McMaster University
- 17 year of age or older
Currently living:
i. In residence or, ii. Off-campus with at least one student housemate
- Willing and able to sign an informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Students who do not meet the inclusion criteria
- Currently living at home with parents
- History or diagnosis of hypercalcemia
- Diagnosis of parathyroid disorder (hyper or hypo)
- Diagnosis of chronic kidney disease
- Use of anticonvulsants
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Diagnosis of sarcoidosis
- Currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy
- Inability to swallow capsules
Sites / Locations
- McMaster University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Vitamin D and gargling
Vitamin D and general health advice
Placebo and general health advice
Placebo and gargling
Participants will be given a weekly dose of 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 (oral capsule) and asked to gargle with tap water twice daily
Participants will be given a weekly dose of 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 (oral capsule) and will receive general health advice in place of gargling advice
Participants will be given an aesthetically matched placebo capsule to take once weekly and will be given general health advice in place of gargling advice.
Participants will be given an aesthetically matched placebo capsule to take once weekly and will be asked to gargle with tap water twice daily