Flu or flu-like illness in chronically ill or disabled children
In this section you can find out about the experience of how flu or flu-like illness affects children with a long-term medical condition or disability...
What is flu or flu-like illness?
Flu-like illness is a non-specific collection of symptoms, including cough, fever, and muscle aches, which is often caused by infection with the influenza or other viruses.
We therefore often refer to people as having a ‘flu-like illness’ rather than just ‘flu’ because it is difficult to say exactly which virus is causing their symptoms.
We asked Dr Kay Wang a GP and researcher with a specialist interest in flu and other viruses to help explain what a ‘Flu-like illness’ is, and to clear up some misunderstandings about the condition.
Which children are at risk of complications from flu or flu-like illness?
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...