When a person has asthma, his/her air passages become over-sensitive due to inflammation. When this happens, even the slightest stimuli can make the lungs overreact, including viruses that cause infections. Sinusitis and other respiratory infections can cause severe asthma attacks. It can also worsen symptoms of attacks, which are then difficult to control with regular asthma medications.

Respiratory infections, such as cold or flu, stimulate the body to produce certain substances that irritate the airways, causing inflammation and secretion of more mucus than usual. The air passages narrow, obstructing the airflow to and from the lungs. This results in a shortness of breath and can trigger severe asthma attacks. Symptoms of infections can take the form of - chronic coughing, secretion of yellow or green mucus with coughs, high temperatures, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue or weakness, scratchy or sore throat, nasal congestion, sinus drainage, headaches or pain in certain areas of the face.

Preventive measures that can be taken to prevent infection-related asthma symptoms from worsening includes - monitoring peak flow rates, maintaining good hygiene habits, taking annual flu shots and pneumonia vaccines, taking good care of the heath – resting and drinking lots of fluids, and paying close attention to asthma symptoms. Also important is to contact the doctor immediately on the first instances of any symptoms to alleviate the severity of an asthma attack.