Is Asthma Caused By Pathogens

How Does The Doctor Know If A Worker Has Asthma

Sufferers from work-related asthma experience attacks of difficult breathing, tightness of the chest, coughing, and breath sounds such as wheezing, which are associated with air-flow obstruction. Such symptoms should raise the suspicion of asthma. With work-related asthma, typically these symptoms are worse on working days, often awakening the patient at night, and improving when the person is away from work. While off work, sufferers from work-related asthma may still have chest symptoms when exposed to airway irritants such as dusts, or fumes, or upon exercise. Itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy and runny nose, and skin rashes are other symptoms often associated with asthma.

The health care provider will also ask about your work history, including questions such as:

• Are symptoms worse at work?
• Do symptoms improve when away from work ?
• Did the symptoms start as an adult, or when you changed jobs?
• What type of industry do you work in?
• Are others at work experiencing similar symptoms?

Lung function tests and skin tests can help to confirm the disease. However, some patients with work-related asthma may have normal lung function as well as negative skin tests.

The diagnosis of work-related asthma needs to be confirmed objectively. This confirmation can be done by carrying out pulmonary function tests at work and off work. The tests will include serial spirometry or peak expiratory tests, specific inhalation challenge tests, or immunologic tests.

Your Immune System And Asthma: What To Know

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Researchers now understand asthma is a disease associated with chronic underlying airway inflammation. And this inflammation is caused by an abnormal immune response.; Considering this truth, I thought it would be neat to delve into a simple question: What is the immune system anyway? Heres what to know.

Pathogen Comparison Between Stable Outpatients And Asthma Exacerbation Patients

There was no difference in the pathogen detection rate between inpatients and outpatients . Viruses were detected in 50% of stable outpatients, and higher incidences of HRV A/B/C, RSV A, and metapneumovirus infections were observed in asthma exacerbation inpatients . H. influenzae was observed even in stable asthmatic patients. Other bacteria other than H. influenzae, especially S. pneumoniae, were important in asthma exacerbation inpatients .

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Inflammation And Your Lungs

A garden-variety cold is caused by any one of over 200 viral strains, the most common of which are rhinoviruses, followed by coronaviruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus .

When a respiratory infection occurs, the immune system responds by releasing cytokines that draw defensive white blood cells to the site of the infection.

Many of these cytokinesmost especially interleukin types 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 13are responsible for triggering airway hyper-responsiveness and bronchoconstriction in people with asthma. In essence, the inflammation caused by a cold can “spill over” to the lower respiratory tract and instigate an attack.

Research also suggests that antigens on certain respiratory viruses can trigger an allergic response in people with asthma. Antigens are the proteins of the surface of cells that the immune system reacts to. In some cases, the antigen will spur allergic inflammation that only adds to the burden of viral inflammation.

Although viral-induced asthma has long been considered separate from allergic asthma, evidence suggests that viral-induced asthma can affect people with allergic and non-allergic forms of the disease, including exercise-induced asthma and eosinophilic asthma.

This dual source of inflammation may explain why certain people are more prone to viral-induced asthma than others.

What Does Asthma Feel Like

Asthma is marked by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, with extra sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma have symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus.

There are three major signs of asthma:

• Airway blockage. When you breathe as usual, the bands of muscle around your airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But when you have asthma, the muscles tighten. Itâs harder for air to pass through.
• Inflammation. Asthma causes red, swollen bronchial tubes in your lungs. This inflammation can damage your lungs. Treating this is key to managing asthma in the long run.
• Airway irritability. People with asthma have sensitive airways that tend to overreact and narrow when they come into contact with even slight triggers.

These problems may cause symptoms such as:

• Coughing, especially at night or in the morning
• Wheezing, a whistling sound when you breathe
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble sleeping because of breathing problems

Not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.

Some people with asthma may go for long periods without having any symptoms. Others might have problems every day. In addition, some people may have asthma only during exercise or with viral infections like colds.

When to see your doctor

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How Is Asthma Linked To Heart Disease

• The symptoms of both asthma and heart failure include shortness of breath, severe chest pains and coughing. It is difficult to distinguish between the two at first glance.
• Both asthma and heart disease are caused by inflammation in the body.
• In the event of an asthma attack, the patient is also bound to show symptoms of severe chest pains because the flow of blood is compromised when the body is inflamed.
• Patients with active asthma are more likely to get a heart failure than those who have not had an asthma attack recently.
• Most cases of asthma linked to heart diseases were found in patients who had developed asthma as adults.
• Researchers found that patients with asthma had about a 70 percent higher risk of heart diseases than those without asthma.

Respiratory Illness Resource Center

Protect Yourself From Respiratory Infections: People with asthma and;their caregivers need to know about;respiratory infections.;They;are a major cause of asthma symptoms and attacks. And some illnesses can lead to other serious conditions, like pneumonia. This blog post talks about four common infections, such as the flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and the common cold.

Coronavirus : What People With Asthma Need to Know:;This blog post gives general information on COVID-19. It helps people with asthma understand risk, prevention, and what to do if you catch it.

What People With Asthma Need to Know About Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic:;Face masks are an important part of protecting ourselves and others against COVID-19. But can people with asthma wear face masks? What are the best options for people with asthma, especially if your job requires them?;This blog post addresses many of the questions you may have about asthma and face masks.

Cleaning Your Hands With Soap and Hand Sanitizer: What Is Best to Protect Yourself From COVID-19 and Other Illnesses?: Keeping your hands clean is one of the easiest ways to reduce the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. It can also help help protect you from colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. Learn the right way to clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Medical Review May 2021 by Neeru Khurana Hershey, MD, PhD

Asthma Triggers

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Asthma Tied To Bacterial Communities In The Airway

Asthma may have a surprising relationship with the composition of the species of bacteria that inhabit bronchial airways, a finding that could suggest new treatment or even potential cures for the common inflammatory disease, according to a new UCSF-led study.

Using new detection methods, researchers learned that the diversity of microbes inside the respiratory tract is far vaster than previously suspected creating a complex and inter-connected microbial neighborhood that appears to be associated with ;asthma, and akin to what has also been found in inflammatory bowel disease, vaginitis, periodontitis, and possibly even obesity.

Contrary to popular belief, the scientists also learned that the airways are not necessarily entirely sterile environments, even in healthy people, while the airways of asthmatics are infected by a richer, more complex collection of bacteria. These findings could improve understanding of the biology of asthma, and potentially lead to new and much-needed therapies.

People thought that asthma was caused by inhalation of allergens but this study shows that it may be more complicated than that asthma may involve colonization of the airways by multiple bacteria, said study co-author Homer Boushey, MD, a UCSF professor of medicine in the division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.

The study is published online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Medical History And Physical Exam

Your doctor will ask about your risk factors for asthma and your symptoms. They may ask also about any known allergies. This includes how often symptoms occur, what seems to trigger your symptoms, when or where symptoms occur, and if your symptoms wake you up at night.

During the physical exam, your doctor may:

• Listen to your breathing and look for symptoms of asthma
• Look for allergic skin conditions, such as eczema

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Your Peak Flow Can Show Early Signs Of Trouble

Your peak expiratory flow meter can alert you to problems early during flu season.;Dr. Thiruchelvam says that a;reduction in peak flow of greater than 20 percent from normal, or from your personal best value,;indicates the presence of an asthma exacerbation. Peak flow levels often drop when you come down with the flu and even when you dont feel sick. If your peak flow level is low, talk to your healthcare provider.; Together, you can discuss management before the flu slams you with symptoms.

The flu comes on suddenly, Dr. Thiruchelvam explains. You might feel fine in the morning, and by afternoon, you feel terrible. Even if you dont think youre sick, check your peak flow every day. If its low, talk to your doctor. Dont wait until you notice a problem.

What To Make Of All This

The immune system involves a whole lot more than what I can possibly expound upon in one post. I just wanted to share this basic information with you to give you an idea of what your immune system involves. In upcoming posts I will show you what can go wrong, and how both your innate and adaptive immunity can work together to cause asthma and asthma symptoms.

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Acute Wheezing Illness In Infancy

In spite of the possible protective influence of a wide range of infectious agents on the subsequent development of atopy and asthma, infection by respiratory viruses is a common cause of wheezing episodes in infancy and, as discussed below, of exacerbations in asthmatic children. Some 70% of wheezing episodes in the first year are associated with viral respiratory infection. Respiratory syncytial virus , rhinovirus and influenza B are the most frequently cultured. In some children, RSV causes bronchiolitis, a potentially serious lower respiratory tract illness with a significant mortality.

Of the respiratory viruses, RSV has most often been associated with subsequent asthma. Sigurs et al reported that infants suffering wheezing RSV infections requiring hospitalisation were more likely than prospectively identified control subjects to have allergen-specific IgE and asthma by the age of 3 years. Other studies have failed to demonstrate a relationship between RSV infection and asthma.

Fast Facts About Asthma: Data Compiled From The 2011 Survey On Living With Chronic Diseases In Canada

For readers interested in the PDF version, the document is available for downloading or viewing:

Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing. Asthma symptoms and attacks usually occur after exercise, exposure to allergens or irritants, or viral respiratory infections.Footnote 1 Risk factors for asthma include: family history of allergies; high exposure to airborne allergens ; frequent respiratory infections early in life; exposure to airborne irritants ; and low birth weight and respiratory distress syndrome .Footnote 2

In 2009-10, more than 2.4 million Canadians aged 12 years and over were living with asthma . While there are many effective approaches to asthma including clinical management, medication and self-care, optimal control of the condition remains elusive for a majority of Canadians living with asthma.

The Public Health Agency of Canada developed the 2011 Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada , which provides current information on how asthma affects Canadians. This survey, conducted by Statistics Canada, interviewed a nationally-representative sample of approximately 2,500 Canadians aged 12 years and older who reported having been diagnosed with asthma. Individuals experiencing both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded.

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Asthma Linked To Bacteria Infections

by Case Adams, PhD·

Bacteria infections can cause asthma, researchers say.

Research from Australias University of Adelaide has determined that many asthma and chronic sinusitis patients are dealing with sustained infections of bacteria including many that are resistant to antibiotics.

In this article

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Whats The Outlook For People With Asthma And Pneumonia

Its possible to monitor and successfully manage asthma. Most people with asthma live full, active lives.

It takes from one to three weeks to fully recover from pneumonia. It can take much longer if youre not in good overall health.

In severe cases, or without treatment, both conditions can be life-threatening.

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Pcr For Chlamydia Pneumoniae

DNA from nasopharyngeal swab and sputum specimens was isolated using Qiamp DNA Mini kits . Quantitative LightCycler real time PCR assay was used to detect the presence of C pneumoniae 16S rDNA in the samples. As a standard, a dilution series of 80 000 to 8 genome equivalents of C pneumoniae DNA extracted from C pneumoniae elementary bodies was used. The sample volume was 8 µl and a negative control was included as every seventh sample.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Getting Pneumonia

There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting pneumonia.

Get Vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is crucial to protecting your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pneumococcal vaccination for adults 65 and older. Medicare covers pneumococcal vaccines for adults 65 and older at no cost. It is recommended that adults 19-64 years old who smoke get vaccinated as well. At your next appointment with your asthma specialist or your primary care physician, ask them about the pneumococcal vaccination. If you are a medical provider, dont miss the opportunity to recommend this vaccination for your patients as appropriate. According to a recent study on pneumococcal pneumonia vaccinations in high-risk adults, on average, had up to five encounters with healthcare providers which did not result in receiving a pneumonia vaccination.

Stay healthy by practicing good health habits. Respiratory infections such as a cold or flu can cause asthma symptoms and flare-ups, and the flu can increase your chances of getting pneumonia. A few ways to prevent getting sick is to:

• Avoid sick people
• Wash your hands with soap and water often
• Clean surfaces that are touched most often such as door knobs, light switches, etc.
• Stay in smokefree spaces. If you smoke, make a plan to quit.

Next Steps

• Talk to your doctor at your next visit to see if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you by asking our Five Top Pneumonia Questions For Your Doctor.

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Whats The Connection Between Asthma And Pneumonia

People who have chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma may be at higher risk of developing pneumonia.

If you have asthma and get the flu, your symptomsand your complicationsmay be worse than they are for someone who doesnt have asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , people with asthma who get the flu are more likely to develop pneumonia as a complication.

One of the treatments for asthma is inhaled corticosteroids. According to one study, these medications may themselves increase the risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia.

Some of the key differences between the conditions can be seen in the table below.

Pneumonia can be viral or bacterial:

• Viral pneumonia symptoms start out much like those of the flu and include fever, muscle pain, and dry cough. As it progresses, the cough gets worse and you may produce mucus. Shortness of breath and fever can follow.
• Bacterial pneumonia symptoms include a temperature that could go as high as 105°F . Such a high fever can lead to confusion and delirium. Your pulse and breathing rates may rise. Your nail beds and lips may turn blue due to lack of oxygen.

Researchers arent sure exactly what causes asthma. There may be an inherited tendency to develop asthma. There may also be environmental factors.

Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of things, such as:

• viruses, including the flu virus
• bacteria

This Article Has A Correction Please See:

The relationship between the microbial world and asthma is not well understood. Although we know that the most potent triggers of wheezing attacks are viruses, we do not understand whether and how they contribute to disease onset and progression. Even less is known about the relationship between asthma and bacteria.

The clearest evidence stems from studying asthma exacerbations or wheezing episodes. In clinical studies viruses can be detected in up to 90% of such episodes , with rhinovirus being most commonly identified, followed by respiratory syncytial virus in the first years of life. Other viruses such as parainfluenza, metapneumovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, influenza and enteroviruses have also been implicated, mostly in older patients. In 10% of episodes multiple viruses were found . Most recently, the H1N1 virus has been reported to be more prevalent among asthmatics than other patients . In a recent high-risk birth cohort, children with wheezing illnesses triggered by rhinovirus infections early in life were at risk for the subsequent development of asthma up to 6 yrs of age .

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