Narcolepsy has long been thought of as a T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune disease given its association with the HLA‐DQB1*06:02 genotype.138 However, a recent study of a mouse model lacking B and T cells demonstrated sleep patterns consistent with narcolepsy following infection with influenza A(H1N1) virus.140 By week 4 following infection, viral antigens could be detected in the lateral hypothalamus along with loss of up to half of the hypocretin‐secreting neurons in some brains, suggesting direct viral invasion as a potential mechanism. This evidence concerns the gene HCRT and infection.