Why do respiratory infections, such as the common cold or the flu, often trigger symptoms in children with asthma?
• Inflammation—or swelling—of the lining of the airways is a major cause of asthma symptoms.5 Respiratory infections such as the common cold or the flu also lead to inflammation of the airways. As a result, both the common cold and the flu can cause asthma symptoms to worsen.5 It is also true that airway-related symptoms from respiratory infections, such as cough and shortness of breath, tend to be worse in children who have asthma. • For these reasons, it is important to be sure that your child’s asthma is well controlled, especially during the flu season. Continue reading to Question 4 to learn tips for handling this time of year.
