Epidemiologic associations between viral lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and asthma in
later childhood are well known. However, the question of whether such infections cause
asthma or unmask asthma in a susceptible host has still not been settled. Most early
evidence centered on the role of the respiratory syncytial virus; however, recent studies
highlight a potential role for human rhinovirus as a risk factor for asthma. The links between
early-life viral LRI and subsequent asthma are generally via wheeze; however, the presence …