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Epidemiology of respiratory viruses in persons with and without asthma and COPD

A S Monto1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, USA.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|May 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory viruses frequently reinfect individuals with asthma and COPD, particularly children. These chronic respiratory conditions place individuals at higher risk for viral infections, necessitating vaccine and antiviral development.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology and Virology
  • Epidemiology of Respiratory Infections

Background:

  • Respiratory viruses are common causes of illness in the general population.
  • Individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have different responses to viral infections compared to healthy individuals.
  • Reinfection with the same respiratory virus is frequent, and infection rates generally decrease with age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the behavior of respiratory viruses in individuals with asthma and COPD.
  • To differentiate between increased susceptibility to infection and the production of exacerbations in these patient groups.
  • To assess the risk posed by viral infections to individuals with chronic respiratory diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review and evaluation of existing studies on viral activity in persons with asthma and COPD.
  • Comparison of viral infection patterns in individuals with and without these chronic respiratory conditions.
  • Analysis of age-related trends in viral infections and exacerbations.

Main Results:

  • Viral infections are more frequent in children, including those with asthma, than in adults.
  • Studies suggest increased susceptibility to viral infections in individuals with asthma and COPD.
  • Viral infections can trigger exacerbations in individuals with asthma and COPD, with the effect being most pronounced in pediatric asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Individuals with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD are a recognized risk group for viral infections.
  • The findings support the need for developing and evaluating new vaccines and antiviral medications for these populations.
  • Distinguishing between susceptibility and exacerbation is crucial for understanding the impact of viruses on chronic respiratory diseases.

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