Which children are at risk of complications from flu or flu-like illness?

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  October 2018
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  This is a summary of independent research supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research funding scheme (Grant Reference RP-PG-1210-12012). The views expressed are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
  
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For most children, flu or other flu-like viruses are a relatively mild illness which gets better on its own.

However, some children may be at greater risk of developing further complications if they get flu or a flu-like illness. These include some children with:

Lung or breathing problems (e.g. asthma)
Heart problems
Problems with the immune system
As well as conditions such as diabetes
Cerebral palsy
Down’s syndrome.

In addition, some children who were born prematurely, or who have previously had illnesses such as bronchiolitis or wheezing, may also be at greater risk of complications from flu or flu-like illness.

We asked Dr Kay Wang a GP and researcher with a specialist interest in flu or flu-like illness to help explain which children are at risk of complications from flu or ‘Flu-like illness’ and what sort of complications they can get.

Dr Wang explains which children are at risk of complications and what sort of complications they can get.

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For most children, influenza or flu-like illness’ are a relatively mild illness which gets better on its own.

However, some children may be at greater risk of developing complications if they get flu or a flu-like illness. These include some children with: lung or breathing problems such as asthma, heart problems, problems with the immune system, as well as children with conditions such as diabetes, cerebral palsy, and Down’s syndrome.

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What is flu or flu-like illness?

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Flu or flu-like illness symptoms

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