Nearly a quarter of children with recurrent wheezing have “silent” viral lung infections that would be better treated with antiviral medications than commonly prescribed steroids that can carry lifelong side effects, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals.
Pediatric pulmonologist W. Gerald Teague, MD, was inspired to investigate after noting large numbers of children with stubborn wheezing cases referred from community providers and through the UVA Health Emergency Department. Knowing that rhinoviruses — the main cause of the common cold — can trigger wheezing episodes, Teague wanted to see if there was a link between the recurrent wheezing and “indolent” lung infections — infections that can carry no symptoms and persist for long periods.
Read more of the original article from WorldHealth
