2.2 Viral Induced Wheeze

Question 1

What causes / what happens in viral induced wheeze?

Answer 1

children <3yrs
RSV or rhinovirus

Swelling and constriction + Poiseuille’s law (r^4) means flow is very decreased.

–> wheeze

Some children are more prone to this / swelling. Hereditary element?
Also increase risk of asthma in later life.

Question 2

Viral induced wheeze vs asthma?

Answer 2

Not exact.

Viral wheeze:

• presents before 3 years old
• no atopic history
• only during viral infections

Asthma:

• can be triggered by viral or bacterial infection but also
• has other triggers; exercise, cold weather, dust, emotions

Question 3

Presentation of viral induced wheeze?

Answer 3

Viral illness (fever, cough and coryzal symptoms) for 1-2 days preceding the onset of:

• Shortness of breath
• Signs of respiratory distress
• Expiratory wheeze throughout the chest

Management… similar ish to asthma (get more treatment if you treat as asthma).