ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2011;28(4):241-244

Professional article

UDC:616.211-002:616.248

Asthma Exacerbations and Viruses

Ivana Stanković, Zorica Ćirić, Milan Radović

University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Serbia

Clinic for Lung Diseases and TB, Clinical Center Niš, Serbia


summary

Acute exacerbations of asthma are the major cause of morbidity and mortality of the disease and are difficult to prevent and treat. Asthma exacerbations are associated with several factors, including allergen exposure, air pollution and stress, but the major cause of exacerbations is respiratory virus infection. Respiratory viral infections cause >80% of asthma exacerbations in children and >50% in adults. The most prevalent viruses detected during exacerbations are the rhinoviruses. Respiratory viruses may induce asthma exacerbations through direct effects on their main target, airway epithelium, as well as via systemic immune reaction.

Key words: asthma exacerbations, respiratory virus infections, rhinoviruses