It appears to be nothing more than a cold.

But a virus called "RSV", which every child gets before the age of 2, can be dangerous to preemies or kids with breathing problems.

Those hospitalized with RSV are much more likely to suffer from asthma - a growing problem in Madison.

We take a closer look at a young girl who researchers say may be the key to better preventing and treating asthma.

7-year-old Hannah Olson is used to this sound - her nebulizer.

She's had it, along with other medications, since she was just 2-months old, for serious asthma.

Hannah's mom Jill Olson says, "She had severe coughing, wheezing, very difficult time breathing, belly breathing... just pretty scary"

Hannah says, "I know that I mostly have to take the inhaler lots of times"

Before Hannah turned one, they ended up in the ER several times, and had surgery on her eyes.

She was also diagnosed with RSV... a virus that local researchers are hoping to learn more about when it comes to kids like Hannah.

Dr. Theresa Guilbert of UW Health's Asthma Research says, "Often RSV is the heralding event for the first of many wheezing episodes in susceptible kids...we're trying to understand why those kids are wheezing, why they continue to have problems"

The study, broadly known as "COAST" at UW - started 7 years ago.

Hannah's mom was one of the first to enroll her child - while she was still pregnant.

Jill says, "I have learned so much, so much more than I would have learned if it had been doctor’s appointments. Because they're teaching me everything they're learning about asthma."

And Hannah is what experts call the prototype of the patient they want to understand.

They're looking for a possible genetic link between RSV and asthma, among other things.

Guilbert says, "If we find that link, we you could start instituting preventative therapies at a young age."

And Hannah loves being able to help.

"Explaining to Hannah that it will help people in the future - maybe her kids - that just puts a smile on her face.”

And in the meantime, it hasn't stopped her from doing the things most 7-year-olds love.

Hannah says, "Swimming, soccer and t-ball and basketball... I'm in all of those"

Dr. Theresa Guilbert, who leads the RSV & Asthma portion of the "COAST" study, says UW is always looking for more children to participate.

If you'd like to learn more, call UW Health Asthma Research at
262-5643.