About Coronavirus
About Help BEAT Coronavirus
Help BEAT Coronavirus is a dedicated campaign supporting people to take part in research looking to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and manage coronavirus (Covid-19) and the lasting symptoms that some people experience (long Covid).
Registering with Research for the Future means you will receive information about opportunities to take part in research.
The process is easy. We will ask you for your contact details, some questions about your general health, whether you’ve had coronavirus, and if so whether you have fully recovered.
About Coronavirus
Coronaviruses are a type of virus. There are many different kinds, and some cause disease. Covid-19 is the infectious illness caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which was first identified in December 2019. The outbreak of Covid-19 caused a pandemic and has become one of the most important medical problems of our time.
Most people infected with the Covid-19 virus experience mild to moderate symptoms and make a full recovery
Long Covid
For some people, coronavirus (Covid-19) can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-Covid syndrome or ‘long Covid’. Some of the most reported symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, and brain fog/inability to concentrate, but the exact cause of long Covid remains unknown.
An extensive programme of research, backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is looking to better understand the virus, improve diagnosis and find new treatments.
Taking part
Taking part in research means you will be helping to improve health and care for future generations as well as helping researchers:
- better understand the Covid-19 virus and how to prevent it
- increase knowledge about long Covid and how to diagnose it
- identify effective vaccines and treatments, such as drugs or rehabilitation programmes
- develop new services to support people living with long Covid
- understand why some groups of people are at greater risk of coronavirus infection or developing symptoms of long Covid
There are lots of different types of research and ways you can take part, including:
- completing a survey or questionnaire
- being part of a discussion group
- testing a smartphone app, online system or activity tracker
- trialling a support programme helping people to better manage symptoms
- being part of a clinical trial testing new and existing medications.
We use the information you provide when you register to inform you about suitable opportunities as they arise along with details of how you can take part. It is always your decision whether to take part in anything we tell you about. If at any time you change your mind and no longer want to receive information, let us know.
The information you provide is stored on a secure NHS database. It will never be shared with anyone else. For more information about how we store and protect your personal information, see our ‘Privacy notice’.
Health and advice
If you have a health concern, please contact your GP for advice and treatment.
The NHS 111 service is available to make it easier and quicker for people to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Online at 111.nhs.uk
- Call 111 for free from a landline or mobile phone
The best sources of up-to-date accurate health information about coronavirus (Covid-19):
Current studies
PHOSP-I
Investigating whether a medication used to treat people in hospital with Covid-19 can help reduce symptoms of long Covid.
How you've helped us
GRITSTONE: Phase 1 trial
Testing a new vaccine to be used as a booster to prevent coronavirus infection (Covid-19)
COVID vaccine trials
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Research for the Future has supported studies of several new vaccines.
Understanding new ways of working during the pandemic
Understanding peoples’ experiences of GP services and appointments during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
