Your smartwatch could spot the flu before you feel it

NCT ID NCT04772170

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study enrolls healthy adults who are already part of a respiratory virus challenge study at the NIH. Participants wear a smartwatch and use a smartphone to track temperature, heart rate, coughs, and other health signals. The goal is to see if these devices can detect subtle changes that indicate infection, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to wearable-based early detection tools for respiratory infections like flu and COVID-19.
What could go wrong
This is an early observational study, not testing a treatment. The digital biomarkers may not prove reliable enough for real-world diagnosis.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    RECRUITING

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.