Are all asthma attacks triggered by allergies?
No. Viral respiratory infections are another common cause of asthma, especially at this time of year. Viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu, can trigger attacks in adults and children who have asthma. In fact the common cold virus is the most common cause of children being hospitalized for severe asthma attacks.
Do kids that wheeze with respiratory infections develop asthma?
Many children who wheeze with respiratory viruses under the age of three do not go on to develop asthma at an older age. Just because a child wheezes during respiratory virus, doesn’t mean that they will develop asthma. The main risk factors for asthma development are:
- A strong family history of allergy
- Atopic dermatitis
- Food allergies
- History of wheezing following Respiratory Infections
- Viral infection such as RSV
Can antibiotics help treat asthma inflammation caused by a virus?
No. Antibiotics only are effective against bacterial infections. Since asthma inflammation is usually caused by a virus, antibiotic treatment is not effective.
What can be done to reduce the risk of getting viral infections in people with asthma?
If you have asthma, it is important to get the flu vaccine every fall and to keep yourself fit and healthy. You should also:
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
- Take your prescribed medications
- Talk with your doctor about beginning appropriate medications at the onset of a cold
With proper asthma treatment, the effects of a virus can be controlled and severe attacks prevented. For more information concerning asthma, please talk with your doctor.
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