My Life with Flu 

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Hannah Daniel

Ronan Summers

Liam Williams

Alun Raglan

Eirlys Bellin

Eiry Thomas

Sarah Woods

James Robinson

15 Minute Drama: My Life with Flu: Episode 3

My Life with Flu

Episode 3

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, My Life with Flu, Episode 3

1986: Jill meets David in New York and embarks upon an illicit affair.

New York, 1986: Jill and David are having an affair - and the Hong Kong flu accompanies Jill at Christmas. Stars Ronan Summers.

By Sarah Woods
 
A love story, about flu.
 
1986, New York – Jill and David embark upon an illicit affair. And as she travels home for Christmas Jill has a life changing decision to make. But inside her body, Hong Kong Flu is travelling with her.
 
My Life with Flu has been produced in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. In five episodes it follows the story of Jill across five decades as she struggles with the highs and lows of life, love and viruses. At the same time the story tracks the life of Hong Kong Flu – how, over 45 years, it has traversed the globe, evolved and is ultimately being superseded by new, more virulent strains, such as Swine Flu.
 
The series uses cutting edge science – of transmission, viral evolution and genetic predisposition – to tell the story of flu, and investigate the unique qualities of Jill's genome which make her a 'severe responder'. Paul Kellam, Virus Genomics team leader at the Sanger Institute worked closely with writer Sarah Woods to weave the science seamlessly into the story. The drama underlines the deep connection human beings have to the viruses that survive through us, and how illness can shape the course of our lives.
 
Jill.... Hannah Daniel
David.... Ronan Summers
John.... Liam Williams
Paramedic 1.... Alun Raglan
Paramedic 2.... Eirlys Bellin
Narrator.... Eiry Thomas
 
Directed by James Robinson
A BBC Cymru/Wales Production

15 Minute Drama: My Life with Flu

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

By Sarah Woods. Jill's story is told across five decades. A love story - about flu.

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