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Viral respiratory infection and the link to asthma

James E Gern1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA. gern@medicine.wisc.edu

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|October 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Viral respiratory infections trigger childhood asthma and wheezing. Understanding these host-pathogen interactions is key to developing effective treatments for at-risk infants and children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Viral respiratory infections are a primary cause of acute wheezing in infants and a common trigger for asthma exacerbations in children.
  • Severe infant viral infections increase the likelihood of developing asthma later in childhood.
  • The precise mechanisms linking viral infections to asthma pathogenesis are still being elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the complex relationship between viral respiratory infections and childhood wheezing and asthma.
  • To review current understanding of pathogenesis, host factors, and treatment strategies.
  • To highlight the importance of host-pathogen interactions in determining disease severity and long-term outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on viral respiratory infections, wheezing, and asthma.
  • Analysis of host factors, including immune responses and allergies.
  • Evaluation of current treatment approaches for virus-induced wheezing and asthma exacerbations.

Main Results:

  • A growing list of respiratory viruses are implicated in acute wheezing and asthma exacerbations.
  • Host factors such as respiratory allergy and interferon responses influence the risk of virus-induced wheezing.
  • Effective antiviral therapies are lacking, making treatment challenging.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for identifying individuals at risk of severe respiratory illness and long-term sequelae.
  • Further research into these interactions can guide the development of novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for virus-induced asthma and wheezing.
  • Personalized approaches considering host factors may improve management of viral-induced respiratory conditions in children.

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