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Influenza is a contagious, upper-respiratory disease caused by many different strains of influenza viruses. While many people use the imprecise term “flu” to describe 24- or 48-hour bouts of illness, real influenza can interfere with normal daily activities for as long as a week. Influenza is not a minor inconvenience. As many as 200,000 Americans are hospitalized because of it each year, and as many as 36,000 die of the disease or complications associated with it. Children under age 1, people 65 or older, and people suffering from underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of serious complications.

Children of any age with neurologic conditions are more likely to become very sick if they get the flu. Complications may vary and can include pneumonia and even death.Neurologic conditions can include:Disorders of the brain and spinal cordCerebral palsyEpilepsy (seizure disorders)StrokeIntellectual disabilityModerate to severe developmental delayMuscular dystrophySpinal cord injurySome children with neurologic conditions may have trouble with muscle function, lung function or difficulty coughing, swallowing, or clearing fluids from their airways. These problems can make flu symptoms worse.