Table 3.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria:	· Ages 2 to 16 years
	· Background history of asthma (as defined below)
	· Presentation with an asthma exacerbation (as defined below)
Exclusion Criteria:	· Less than 2 years old or over 16 years
	· Critical or life-threatening asthma (as defined below)
	· Known TB exposure
	· Active varicella or herpes simplex infection
	· Documented concurrent infection with RSV
	· Fever >39.5°C
	· Use of oral corticosteroids in the previous four weeks
	· Concurrent stridor
	· Galactose intolerance, the Lapp-lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption
	· Significant co-morbid disease: lung, cardiac, immune, liver, endocrine, neurological or psychiatric