Immune response in viral infections of the respiratory tract and rational immunotherapy in children

Natural mechanisms of defence against pathogens causing ARVI are divided into congenital and acquired ones, differing in speed and specificity of response. In children who frequently fall ill with viral infections of the respiratory tract, the barrier function of the respiratory epithelium might be decreased and hyperimmune reaction with an excessive inflammatory component can arise. In such cases, immunotherapy should be aimed at recovering the ability to resolve the inflammatory process, changing the direction of the immune system response to the Th1 type. Administration of drugs that simultaneously have antiviral and immunomodulating effects might reduce the excessive T cell activation, promote transition to a new cytokine profile (for instance, from Th2 to Th1 in children with atopy), which optimizes a child's antiviral immunity.