Illustration of children and older people surrounded by viruses that transform into asthma inhalers, representing the seasonal impact on asthma.

Decoding Asthma: How Age and Seasonal Viruses Impact Exacerbations

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research clarifies the link between age, seasonal respiratory infections, and asthma flare-ups, offering insights for better management and prevention."

Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, affects millions worldwide, with symptoms ranging from mild wheezing to severe, life-threatening attacks. Understanding the triggers and patterns of asthma exacerbations is crucial for effective management and improved quality of life for those affected.

Recent research published in the journal Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research sheds light on the intricate relationship between seasonal respiratory viruses, particularly rhinovirus and influenza, and asthma exacerbations across different age groups. The study, originally published in 2017, has been corrected to clarify some data points related to emergency department (ED) visits, providing a more accurate picture of the trends.

This article delves into the corrected findings of the study, highlighting how age and seasonal virus patterns influence asthma exacerbations. We'll explore the implications of this research for asthma management, prevention strategies, and future research directions.

Age and Viruses: Unpacking the Asthma Exacerbation Connection

Illustration of children and older people surrounded by viruses that transform into asthma inhalers, representing the seasonal impact on asthma.

The study, analyzing data from Korea between 2008 and 2012, examined the rate of ED visits for asthma exacerbations in relation to age and the prevalence of seasonal respiratory viruses. A key correction involves the rates of ED visits across different age brackets, providing a more nuanced understanding of the risk factors.

Here's a breakdown of the corrected data points:

Infants (0-11 months): The rate starts high, with approximately 3.1 events per 1,000 people per year.
Toddlers (12-23 months): The highest rate of ED visits occurs in this age group, with about 4.7 events per 1,000 people per year.
Children (13 years): The rate declines significantly, reaching around 0.4 events per 1,000 people per year.
Adolescents and Adults (13-61 years): The rate remains relatively stable, averaging 0.27 events per 1,000 people per year.
Older Adults (62+ years): The rate begins to climb again, reaching 0.5 events per 1,000 people per year in those aged 62, and further increasing to 1.24 events per 1,000 people per year for those 62 and older.

These corrected figures underscore that the youngest children (under two years old) and older adults are particularly vulnerable to asthma exacerbations leading to ED visits. The link between seasonal viruses and these exacerbations suggests that viral infections play a significant role in triggering asthma symptoms, especially in these age groups.

What Does This Mean for Asthma Management?

The study's findings, now corrected for accuracy, emphasize the importance of targeted prevention strategies for vulnerable age groups. This includes:

<ul><li>Young Children: Vigilant monitoring for respiratory symptoms and prompt intervention during viral infections.</li><li>Older Adults: Enhanced influenza and pneumococcal vaccination efforts to reduce the risk of viral-triggered exacerbations.</li><li>All Age Groups: Educating asthma patients and their families about the role of seasonal viruses in triggering asthma symptoms. Encouraging proactive measures such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with sick individuals. Developing personalized asthma action plans that include strategies for managing viral infections.</li></ul>

By understanding the interplay between age, seasonal viruses, and asthma exacerbations, healthcare professionals and individuals with asthma can work together to implement effective prevention and management strategies, ultimately reducing the burden of this chronic respiratory disease.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4168/aair.2018.10.6.722, Alternate LINK

Title: Erratum: Seasonal Cycle And Relationship Of Seasonal Rhino- And Influenza Virus Epidemics With Episodes Of Asthma Exacerbation In Different Age Groups

Subject: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Journal: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research

Publisher: The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and The Korean Academy of Pediatric Al

Authors: Seung Won Lee, Shinhae Lee, Youn Ho Sheen, Eun Kyo Ha, Sun Hee Choi, Min-Suk Yang, Sohyun Hwang, Sung Soon Kim, Jang-Hoon Choi, Man Yong Han

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is asthma, and why is it important to understand?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions globally, characterized by symptoms ranging from mild wheezing to severe, life-threatening attacks. The understanding of asthma is crucial because it helps in effective management and improving the quality of life for those affected. The implications of not understanding asthma include uncontrolled symptoms, frequent exacerbations, and a reduced quality of life.

How are seasonal viruses related to asthma exacerbations?

Seasonal respiratory viruses, such as rhinovirus and influenza, are linked to asthma exacerbations. The connection is particularly evident in the youngest children (under two years old) and older adults. These viruses can trigger asthma symptoms, leading to a worsening of the condition. The implications of this link are that viral infections play a significant role in triggering asthma symptoms, especially in the vulnerable age groups, indicating a need for targeted prevention strategies.

Which specific seasonal viruses are mentioned, and how do they impact asthma?

Rhinovirus and influenza are two specific seasonal viruses that exacerbate asthma symptoms. The impact of these viruses varies across different age groups. The study found a higher rate of Emergency Department (ED) visits for asthma exacerbations in infants and toddlers, and in older adults. The implications of the role of these viruses is that the research indicates a need for targeted prevention strategies. This also suggests the importance of vaccination and other preventative measures to protect vulnerable individuals from these viruses.

How does the rate of Emergency Department (ED) visits for asthma change across different age groups?

The rate of Emergency Department (ED) visits for asthma exacerbations varies across different age groups. Infants (0-11 months) have a high rate. Toddlers (12-23 months) experience the highest rate. Children (1-13 years) see a decline. Adolescents and adults (13-61 years) show a relatively stable rate, while older adults (62+) experience an increase. This suggests that the youngest children and older adults are particularly vulnerable, underscoring the need for age-specific management and prevention approaches. The implications are that they highlight the importance of age-targeted strategies.

What prevention strategies are recommended for asthma management, and what are the implications?

Targeted prevention strategies are crucial for managing asthma. These include vaccinations against influenza, especially for vulnerable age groups. Additionally, avoiding exposure to seasonal respiratory viruses, such as rhinovirus, is also beneficial. The implications of these strategies involve a reduction in asthma exacerbations, fewer Emergency Department (ED) visits, and an improved quality of life for individuals with asthma. Future research directions include investigating more specific prevention strategies and understanding the detailed mechanisms of how these viruses trigger asthma exacerbations.