Scientists wanted to understand the link between upper respiratory infections and asthma in children. One finding was that children had colds that preceded asthma attacks in 85 percent of the cases they studied. The researchers also found the children studied were more likely to have other lung function complications after the onset of a cold. Most of the nearly 12 million Americans with asthma are school-aged children. Children are exposed to cold viruses all the time, but colds seem to be a particular problem in the winter for children because they tend to pass their cold germs back and forth at school, day care and other closed-door environments.
Doctors speculate that cold viruses prompt attacks by causing inflammation in the lungs.
In children who are particularly susceptible, the inflammation can set off the asthmatic reaction.