Ciaran has Down's syndrome which means he cannot explain to his parents when he feels unwell. He was also diagnosed with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy last year. He doesn't like to swallow medicine, so his parents usually give it to him through a PEG (a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy' tube which goes directly into the stomach), or as a repository. Ciaran seems to catch things more easily than others. Alongside the usual coughs and colds, Ciaran had double pneumonia last year, which made him ill for about 6 weeks. Ciaran's parents now have powdered antibiotics so they are able to treat Ciaran more quickly if he develops serious flu-like symptoms.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10

Louise's elder son, who is now 7, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2. Her son received an insulin pump 6 months after his diagnosis, which has helped them monitor and manage his blood sugar levels. They usually check his blood sugar about 20 times a day, typically before and after meals, exercise, sleeping, or when he feels unwell. When he falls ill with a flu-like sickness, Louise's primary concern is to manage his blood sugar levels. Over the years, Louise and her husband have become experts in managing their son's condition, but they had to take an exceptionally proactive role in order to receive proper care for their child.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10

Amy was born prematurely at 24 weeks and diagnosed with chronic lung disease. She came out of hospital on home oxygen, but eventually she did wean off it and went on to use inhalers. When she was one year old she had surgery to insert a gastrostomy button. Since then and until recently, she has been gastrostomy fed. She also had Nissen fundoplication surgical procedure to treat her gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Amy used to get colds and flu-like illness very frequently, but over the years she has gotten better. At present she is just on vitamins and on a pro-Cal to help her with her calories intake.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10

Kwame is a surviving twin born extremely early at 23 weeks. He has a chronic lung disease which makes him more susceptible to chest infections and respiratory distress. Kwame has been treated with a lot of antibiotics and his mum also uses holistic therapies.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10

Henry is 10 and had asthma since he was 4. Viral illness triggers his asthma easily, which can, without starting inhalers develop into a chest infection. He's often treated with antibiotics and Sharon has explored improving his health with alternative medicine.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10

Georgina's son Alessio, now 10, has complex health needs. Over the years Alessio has suffered from epileptic seizures, hypoglycemia, irritable hip syndrome and now Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. He is also on the autism spectrum. Georgina is very careful to minimize her son's risk of getting ill as Alessio is immunocompromised and even a minor viral illness could prove dangerous.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10

Lyndsey has three children all of whom have been diagnosed with asthma. Her youngest son is most severely affected. To try and protect her children against the flu, her whole family gets the flu vaccine. Lyndsey tries to manage her son's flu at home and as soon as there is a virus in the family she ups his medication.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10

Naomi's daughter was initially diagnosed with asthma when she was 2. She was subsequently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 3 and later diagnosed with Coeliac Disease. Her daughter has suffered one episode of flu like illness for which she was hospitalised.

• Flu in children with a disability or long-term condition: ages 7-10