Asthma and bronchitis: what to know

Asthma tends to cause variable narrowing of sensitive airways, while bronchitis means inflammation of the bronchial tubes and often follows an infection. Either can cause cough, wheeze or breathlessness, and bronchitis can aggravate existing asthma.

A bronchitis cough may bring up mucus and occur with tiredness, a sore throat or fever. Asthma often presents with wheezing, chest tightness, cough and symptoms that vary with triggers or time of day. Symptoms alone may not reliably separate them.

An infection that irritates the bronchial tubes can make asthma airways more reactive. A clinician may listen to your chest, check oxygen levels and review how symptoms respond to your usual inhaler before deciding what is driving the episode.

Follow your written asthma action plan and use prescribed inhalers exactly as directed. Rest, drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration and avoid smoke, vaping, dust and strong fragrances while your airways are irritated.

Arrange a medical review if breathing is worse than your usual asthma pattern, your reliever is needed more often, fever persists, or cough and mucus are not settling. Antibiotics do not treat viral bronchitis, so they should only be used when a clinician finds a reason for them.

Get urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, difficulty speaking in full sentences, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, marked drowsiness, or a reliever inhaler that is not helping as your action plan says it should.

Chest pain, coughing up blood or struggling to breathe at rest also needs prompt assessment. Do not drive yourself if breathing is severely impaired; contact local emergency services.

Ask whether your current symptoms fit bronchitis, an asthma flare or another chest problem; whether your inhaler technique is effective; and what changes should trigger the next step in your asthma action plan. Bring your inhalers and note fever, mucus, night waking and reliever use.