Role and contribution of viral respiratory infections to asthma

Summary From the above observations, it is apparent that many respiratory viruses causes a change in airway function such that bronchial obstruction is more likely to occur in patients with asthma. Furthermore, there is also evidence that viruses act through a number of pathways to enhance the likelihood of an inflammatory response. Subsequent observations must focus on the ability of viruses to stimulate cytokine production, which could then upregulate the allergic airway inflammatory response. With the unfolding of such observations, it is highly likely that greater insights into this major provoking factor in asthma will become more apparent as well as clearer insight into mechanisms of asthma.