Combine that with certain viruses, and the result might be asthma. But, many of them do. And what we've been searching for is which of the kids are at risk of going on to getting asthma if they get this infection. Now, when he gets sick, Alex is checked for viral infections. It's a routine he'll go through for the next several years.
Nurses also make house calls to find out what virus a child has and when it hit.
It's a very common, very contagious lung infection. If scientists can prove that RSV and other viruses lead to asthma, the goal would be to develop vaccines that eliminate those viruses and, therefore, prevent asthma, as well. And experts in the field, like Doctor Michael Kaliner, think that goal is well within reach. Mollie is aware her son won't directly benefit from this study, but she says it's enough to know he may help spare others from asthma. Joining us from Denver to talk more about asthma is Doctor Dan Atkins of the National Jewish Medical Center.