ABSTRACT
Respiratory viruses typically cause self-limited upper respiratory symptoms that produce discomfort and inconvenience in most people. However, for people with asthma, respiratory viruses can cause severe exacerbations. Childhood infection with respiratory viruses may even contribute to the initiation of asthma. This review addresses the epidemiologic evidence that respiratory viruses contribute to asthma inception or asthma exacerbation, possible mechanisms by which viruses may initiate or aggravate asthma, and potential therapeutic approaches to prevent the effects of viruses on asthma.
