RSV and asthma, multiple sources
In childhood:
According to the Australian Asthma Handbook: (ref 1)
– severe respiratory viral infections during infancy, including with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus, are a risk factor associated with childhood asthma
– early life lower respiratory tract infections with RSV or Rhinovirus are strongly associated with allergic asthma in childhood.
– it is estimated that the attributable risk of asthma due to RSV is 13-22% in children 5 years and under, 11-27% in children 5-11 and 32% in children 12 and over. (This means that 13-22% of asthma occuring in 0-5 yo is thought to be due to RSV infection, etc)
In adulthood:
– Some medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of complications from RSV disease, including COPD and severe asthma (defined as requiring frequent medical consultations or multiple medicines). (ref 2)
– Older adults (particularly aged over 65), people with heart and lung disease, or people with weakened immune system are at higher risk of complication and hospitalisation. They may develop pneumonia, worsening asthma or COPD and congestive heart failure. (ref 3)
– adults that get an RSV infection typically have mild cold-like symptoms, however they may also develop a lung infection or pneumonia. RSV can also sometimes lead to worsening asthma, COPD and congestive heart failure.(ref 3, 4)