Abstract
Viral respiratory infections in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause severe exacerbations, increasing the risk of secondary bacterial infections and having a significant impact on disease-related morbidity and mortality. Several antivirals such as oseltamivir and zanamivir evaluated in influenza and other virus-induced respiratory infections are discussed in this review as a starting point of their potential use in improving the outcome of asthma and COPD exacerbations. However, the efficacy of antiviral therapy for asthma/COPD exacerbations needs a further evaluation.