Asthma and pneumonia: what you need to know

Pneumonia inflames the air sacs in the lungs, while asthma narrows and inflames the airways. When they occur together, infection may trigger wheezing, chest tightness or breathlessness in addition to fever, chills, cough, phlegm and tiredness. Pneumonia commonly presents with cough and fever, but its symptoms can overlap with an asthma flare or another respiratory infection.

A clinician may listen to your chest, check oxygen levels and decide whether further tests are needed. Treatment depends on the suspected cause and severity; antibiotics treat bacterial infection but do not treat viral pneumonia or asthma itself.

Follow your written asthma action plan and use prescribed inhalers exactly as directed. Do not stop a regular preventer because you have an infection. Arrange medical assessment if a new fever, phlegmy cough, chest discomfort or worsening breathlessness develops, especially when your reliever is needed more often or gives less relief than usual.

Rest, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration and avoid smoke or strong fumes. Tell the clinician about your asthma medicines, allergies and any recent respiratory illness. If treatment is prescribed, clarify how it fits alongside your inhalers and when you should be reviewed.

Seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, difficulty speaking in full sentences, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, marked drowsiness, or asthma symptoms that do not improve after following the emergency steps in your action plan. These signs require urgent assessment regardless of whether pneumonia has been confirmed.

Get prompt clinical advice for persistent fever, painful breathing, blood in phlegm, reduced fluid intake, or symptoms that improve and then worsen. People who are pregnant, older, immunocompromised or living with other heart or lung conditions should have a lower threshold for contacting a clinician.

Ask whether your symptoms fit pneumonia, an asthma flare or both; whether your inhaler plan needs a temporary adjustment; what changes should trigger reassessment; and when to return to usual activity. Bring your inhalers and spacer so technique can be checked.