iStock Take steps to help yourself cope with stress and anxiety. Chronic respiratory conditions account for a massive health burden in India, at around 93 million, out of which nearly 37 million are asthmatics. India contributes to 11.1 per cent of the global asthma burden and accounts for over 42 per cent of related deaths making it the asthma capital of the world. Respiratory viral infections are the primary cause of asthma exacerbations. For patients at risk of asthma, or with existing asthma, viral respiratory tract infections can have a profound effect on the expression of disease or loss of control. Currently there is no evidence of increased infection rates in those with asthma. However, there is an estimation, which states that patients with moderate-severe asthma could be at greater risk for more severe disease, but there is no published data to support this.