Preventing asthma attacks triggered by the common cold

Around 80 per cent of asthma attacks are triggered by viral infections and the majority of these infections are by the common cold virus. Existing treatments for asthma attacks are not completely effective and there is no vaccination to protect us from the common cold. In addition, recent research has shown that asthmatics have a reduced ability to fight lung infections and are therefore more likely to get a cold, which then triggers an asthma attack.

Dr Edwards and his team aim to study people who do and who don’t have asthma to find out more about why asthmatics are less able to fight these infections. The researchers aim to use this information to try and correctthe problem.

If Dr Edwards can gain a better understanding of how the common cold triggers an asthma attack, he will be in a better position to start designing new interventions to prevent and treat attacks.

Grant: Project Grant
Duration: 36 months Amount awarded: £119,979
Relevant disease area(s): asthma Relevant age group(s): all