New findings on asthma causes

WASHINGTON - Scientists puzzling over why asthma rates are soaring in developed countries have a new suspected culprit - good…

WASHINGTON - Scientists puzzling over why asthma rates are soaring in developed countries have a new suspected culprit - good health.

Researchers report in today's edition of Science that they have found some evidence that early childhood respiratory infections might actually make people less likely to develop asthma and other allergies.

Asthma rates have been rising in developed nations, where sanitation and good medical systems have made childhood infections less common.