Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Sharon

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.

  • Background

    Sharon is 44 and lives with her husband and two children. She works as a part-time administrator and teaching assistant. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 44
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Hyacinth

    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.

  • Background

    Hyacinth is 42 and works part time as a complementary therapist, artist, jewellery designer and facilitator. Ethnic background: White/Black Caribbean.

  • Age at interview 42
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Kate

    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.

  • Background

    Kate is 29 and a fulltime mum to her two young sons. She is married. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 29
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Jessica and Kristian

    Jessica and Kristian's daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 9 months old. She has experienced one major flu or flu-like illness when she was about 1. They try to manage episodes of acute illness, like ILI, at home whenever possible.

  • Background

    Jessica and Kristian live with their daughter who is 2 ¬Ω years old. They are both self-employed. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Fiona

    Fiona's daughter Meg was diagnosed with a rare lung condition, interstitial lung disease (ILD) at the age of 7 months. Meg's on a continuous course of preventative antibiotics which minimize her risk of getting ill. If Meg falls ill with a flu-like illness she's quickly taken to hospital as her condition can deteriorate rapidly.

  • Background

    Fiona lives with her 2 daughters, aged 17 months and 3 years, and her husband. She’s a homemaker. Ethnic background: South African.

  • Age at interview 39
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Mirella

    When Mirella's was about 12 months old he started to develop croup and suffered from a series of colds. He was eventually diagnosed with asthma and has experienced several episodes of flu-like illness since.

  • Background

    Mirella lives with her 2 sons, aged 6 and 3 years, and her husband. She works part-time as a HR professional. Ethnic background: White European.

  • Age at interview 36
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Georgina

    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.

  • Background

    Georgina is 50 and lives with her son and husband. She works in housing and is also developing her own business. Ethnic background: Chinese.

  • Age at interview 50
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Nia

    Daniel was diagnosed with asthma when he was 8 months old. His asthma is now fairly well controlled (aged 11) but he suffers from a flu-like illness at least once every winter which makes his symptoms worse. Nia has noticed that a course of antibiotics can help him not become so unwell with an infection but is also concerned about the possibility of him building up resistance.

  • Background

    Nia is 27 and lives with her son who is 11 and her husband. She’s a lecturer. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 27
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Lyndsey

    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.

  • Background

    Lyndsey is 35 and a fulltime mum to three children aged 8, 6 and 4. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 35
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Rebecca

    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.

  • Background

    Rebecca is 35 and lives with her husband and 2 children. She and her partner manage their own property business. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 35
  • Sex/Gender Female