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. 1995 May 13;310(6989):1225–1229. doi: 10.1136/bmj.310.6989.1225

Community study of role of viral infections in exacerbations of asthma in 9-11 year old children.

S L Johnston 1, P K Pattemore 1, G Sanderson 1, S Smith 1, F Lampe 1, L Josephs 1, P Symington 1, S O'Toole 1, S H Myint 1, D A Tyrrell 1, et al.
PMCID: PMC2549614  PMID: 7767192

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To study the association between upper and lower respiratory viral infections and acute exacerbations of asthma in schoolchildren in the community. DESIGN--Community based 13 month longitudinal study using diary card respiratory symptom and peak expiratory flow monitoring to allow early sampling for viruses. SUBJECTS--108 Children aged 9-11 years who had reported wheeze or cough, or both, in a questionnaire. SETTING--Southampton and surrounding community. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Upper and lower respiratory viral infections detected by polymerase chain reaction or conventional methods, reported exacerbations of asthma, computer identified episodes of respiratory tract symptoms or peak flow reductions. RESULTS--Viruses were detected in 80% of reported episodes of reduced peak expiratory flow, 80% of reported episodes of wheeze, and in 85% of reported episodes of upper respiratory symptoms, cough, wheeze, and a fall in peak expiratory flow. The median duration of reported falls in peak expiratory flow was 14 days, and the median maximum fall in peak expiratory flow was 81 l/min. The most commonly identified virus type was rhinovirus. CONCLUSIONS--This study supports the hypothesis that upper respiratory viral infections are associated with 80-85% of asthma exacerbations in school age children.

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Selected References

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