Allergic asthma and asthma attacks

Over 200 people are admitted to hospital in the UK every day because of their asthma, and in 2008 it caused over 1,200 deaths.

Asthma UK is committed to funding research that aims to protect people from asthma attacks and stop their symptoms from spiralling out of control.

Someone sneezing into a tissue.

Viruses trigger around 80% of all asthma attacks. We are funding world-leading scientists such as professors Sebastian Johnston, Donna Davies, and Ian Sabroe, who hope to uncover the precise details of the interaction between viruses and our airways. Their aim is to find powerful ways of boosting our anti-viral response and relieving virally-triggered symptoms.

Asthma attacks can also be triggered when a person with allergies is exposed to an allergic trigger such as house-dust mites, pollen, fungal spores and pet dander.

We have a long and successful track record in funding research into vaccines that can ‘re-educate’ the immune system and reduce asthma and allergy symptoms.

Asthma UK is also funding exciting projects that delve into the intricacies of the immune system, revealing how allergies trigger symptoms and leading to the creation of new treatments.

Professor Brian Sutton is a leader in this field, and with vital funding from Asthma UK, is drawing ever closer to the creation of powerful new medicines.

Related research projects

Who benefits?

  • Image of Shayna Godin
    Shayna, 14, from Potter’s Bar, Herts was diagnosed with asthma as a baby. Shayna’s triggers include exercise, dust, colds and other allergies (that can result in anaphylaxis). She finds it hard to keep up with school and can get upset when she has to miss out.