Relationship between early life respiratory infections and childhood asthma

Abstract

Viral infections in early life, especially respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinovirus, are closely related to childhood asthma.An initial wheezing of the lower respiratory tract infection of human rhinovirus can serve as a marker of asthma predisposition, whereas respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis (particularly severe infection) in early life can have a causative role in asthma attacks.The interaction of viral infections with the bacterial microbiological environment of respiratory tract is an important determinant of childhood asthma. Key words: Viral infection; Microbial environment; Asthma; Early life; Children