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Jo's youngest daughter, Evie-Mae, was born with Down's syndrome and was diagnosed with leukemia at 17 months old. She has a low platelet count meaning she can get tired easily. She also has breathing problems which get worse if she gets flu or flu-like illness. Since chemotherapy, Evie-Mae, aged 4, has been much better and does not get ill as often.
Jo is a housewife. She is married with three children. Ethnic background: White British.
Arthur is 4 and has Downs Syndrome which he was diagnosed with at birth. He was also premature, born at 34 weeks. He has no underlying conditions but does seem to be affected more than other children when he gets flu like illnesses. He has had two bouts in hospital with scarlet fever and tonsillitis. Arthur is non-verbal which makes diagnosis and communication about illness difficult, but he is learning to point to parts of his body which hurt during which makes it a bit easier. His mum says it is sometimes difficult to diagnose Arthur as he also doesn't like people looking in his mouth, although their GPs are generally very good and try hard.
Sarah is married and is a full-time mum. She used to work in admin, but stopped work since she had three children and after her son, Arthur, was diagnosed with...
Karen's son, Alex has severe food allergies, and was diagnosed with asthma when he was 14 months old. Alex used to suffer from flu-like illnesses once a month when he was younger, but his condition has improved significantly since. Last year, Alex was involved in a clinical trial testing the usual flu vaccine spray in children with egg allergy, and although the trial is ongoing, Alex hasn't experienced any negative effects from the spray.
Karen is a part time teacher, and her partner works as a full time train driver. Their son, Alex is 6 years old. Ethnicity: White British.
Alfie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia [ALL] in August 2012 when he was twenty-two months old. Alfie is now aged 4 and is on the final or maintenance stage of his treatment and is due to complete it by early 2016. About a year ago, Alfie had a high temperature and after tests he was diagnosed with influenza B. He was treated with IV antibiotics and recovered well and was sent home after a week. He did not developed secondary infections. Before his diagnosis of influenza B, Alfie was already on two prophylactic antibiotics; nitrofurantoin every day and on septrin twice a week.
Harriet is married with two sons aged 4 and 2. She is self-employed and works part-time. Ethnic background: White British.
El is Clare's oldest child and was diagnosed with asthma when she was aged four. El also has hay fever and eczema and Clare believes that all these conditions are interlinked. Her first flu episode was the worse as she developed a chest infection and required antibiotics. Clare manages the episodes through close monitoring of the symptoms, giving over the counter medication and getting advice from the GP and nurses at her surgery, if necessary.
Clare is married with four children ranging in age from 5 to 11 years old. She works part-time as a nurse. Ethnic background: White British.
Kate has two sons both born prematurely. Her older son Tristan has cerebral palsy which mainly affects his mobility. Having a cold affects Tristan badly as he nearly always develops a chest infection.
Kate is 29 and a fulltime mum to her two young sons. She is married. Ethnic background: White British.
Rebecca's son has experienced several episodes of flu or flu-like illness. They have all been followed by a series of asthma attacks and sometimes resulted in hospital admittance. Rebecca would like to encourage GPs to diagnose asthma at an earlier age and would also appreciate further support to be able manage the flu or flu-like illness episodes at home.
Rebecca is 35 and lives with her husband and 2 children. She and her partner manage their own property business. Ethnic background: White British.
