Asthma and respiratory infections

A cold or other respiratory illness may increase airway swelling and mucus, leading to more coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or breathlessness. People with asthma may notice that their usual reliever is needed according to the flare instructions in their action plan.

A respiratory infection may bring a sore throat, blocked or runny nose, fever, body aches or a change in mucus. An asthma flare is reflected more by worsening wheeze, chest restriction, breathlessness, night coughing or reduced ability to perform usual activities.

The conditions can occur together. Coloured mucus alone does not determine whether antibiotics are needed, and many respiratory infections do not respond to antibiotics. A clinician considers the examination, illness pattern and any signs of a bacterial complication.

Keep taking prescribed preventer medicine and follow the illness or flare section of your written asthma action plan. Check inhaler and spacer technique, rest, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration and avoid smoke or strong fumes that add further irritation.

Contact a clinician if symptoms are steadily worsening, waking you repeatedly, limiting eating or drinking, or not responding as your plan predicts. Do not start leftover antibiotics, and do not stop a prescribed controller merely because you have an infection.

Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, trouble speaking in full sentences, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse, extreme exhaustion or rapidly increasing chest effort. Follow the emergency part of the action plan while help is coming. Urgency comes from the breathing warning signs, regardless of whether the trigger seems to be a minor cold.

Ask how to adjust treatment during future respiratory illnesses, what findings would suggest a complication, and when to seek same-day care. Review whether your medicines are in date, your technique is effective and your written plan clearly separates routine, worsening and emergency actions.