Investigating RSV infection in children and its association with asthma development

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes a common respiratory infection in young children – almost all children have been infected with RSV by their second birthday. For most children RSV infection is mild, causing temporary symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose. However, up to 5% of children require treatment at a hospital. Data from electronic health records in Scotland can be used to explore how many children develop the more serious forms of RSV infection and to help sooner identify and treat children who might be at a higher risk. Additionally, studies have shown that an RSV infection in early childhood might increase the risk of developing asthma in later life. Asthma is a common, long-term lung disease that causes wheezing, coughing, and breathing difficulties and affects almost 10% of the population in the UK. Studying this link is important in understanding how RSV treatment or vaccines in early life might help protect people from developing asthma and reduce costs to the NHS.