Previously it was believed that viral infections develop asthma attacks, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. A recent study from the Danish Paediatric Asthma Centre (DPAC) at the University of Copenhagen and Gentofte Hospital claim that even bacterial infections can cause asthma attacks. Unlike viral infections, these infections may be easily treated.
In order to initiate the study, 361 children between four weeks and three years were analyzed for determining presence of viral and bacterial infections during severe asthma attacks. Scientists claim to have observed a considerable relationship between bacterial infections and acute asthma attacks. Number of attacks was possibly greater in kids with bacterial respiratory infections than those with viral infections.
Hans Bisgaard, a professor of pediatrics at the DPAC, and colleagues assume that when bacteria are not infected with a virus, asthma symptoms can be heightened. The study findings may open doors to novel ways of treating severe asthma attacks. It has been estimated that antibiotics can help children who have an asthma attack along with a bacterial infection. Additional investigations will be triggered for treating asthma attacks in large-scale, clinical study.
The study was published in British Medical Journal on 4 October 2010.