Asthma causes chronic inflammation of the lungs. There are a variety of' factors that can trigger asthma symptons. Fortunately. children with asthma are no more susceptible to such infections than other kids. Allergies are very common among children with asthma. Allergies to animal dander, dust mites.
Indoor pollutants pose significant risks.
Nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves is related to increased asthma symptoms in winter months, when children spend more time indoors and wondows are closed. Air pollution is also a factor. However, conflicting studies have made it more dificult to clearly define its role as an asthma trigger. For example. in Philadelphia, even as air pollution decreased over a decade, asthma deaths still increased. Witness the scores of U.S. Olympians with asthma. including medalists such as Amy Van Dyken, who won two gold medals in the 1996 Olympics.