Defining Viral Induced Asthma

Asthma is a chronic ailment which affects the respiratory system. Not only is this condition inconvenient and unpredictable when neglected it can also become deadly. In actuality, according to surveys, asthma accounts for about 20% of the hospital admittance made each year, 3-5% of which is fatal. There are many factors that can cause the disease, allergies, exercise, stress, cold weather, and even viruses. Taking a deeper look at the role viruses play in bringing about the symptoms, here are a few facts about viral induced asthma along with the avoidance tips that you might want to keep in mind:

Viral induced asthma is what happens when viruses cause or worsen asthma symptoms. When faced with a viral infection the body counteracts by triggering and inflammatory response to attack the viruses and defend itself. While for non asthmatics this response can help hasten recovery for those who are afflicted by the condition, this response can cause swelling and increased sensitivity of airway cells as well as the excessive production of mucus, thereby worsening the problem.

Simple viruses like influenza A or rhinovirus can be anything but common or simple for asthmatics as it can further irritate the already sensitive air passages, triggering flare-ups and even worsening attacks. Research has also found that another virus namely; the Respiratory Syncytial Virus have been known to bring about symptoms similar to asthma when contracted and is already linked to death of small children in rare occasions.

In adults RSV can also cause wheezing even for individuals who have no history of asthma and induce symptoms to those who are already afflicted. What's good about viral induced asthma (although there may be nothing really good about it) is that, viral induced asthma cases tend to wax and wane along with the seasons. Rhinovirus for example has a peak season in late fall, and influenza A usually peaks in late winter. RSV on the other hand is most common during the winter months, peaking from January to February in the northern hemisphere.

The bad news is that at this moment there are no medications that can permanently rid the mentioned viruses as well as prevent the attacks associated with asthma. Your primary weapon would be precaution and avoidance. Getting your flu-shot, frequent hand washing and temporarily limiting contact with people who have upper respiratory symptoms are some of the good tips that you should be keeping in mind as well.

If you want to know more about viral induced asthma as well as the additional steps you can take in order to avoid it, ask your health care provider or check out medical sites on the internet as both will surely be able to provide you with the information that you need.