What should you know about bronchiolitis asthma in adults?

Bronchiolitis is inflammation of very small airways and is more often discussed in infants and young children. In an adult, a cough and wheeze after an infection may have several causes, including asthma, bronchitis, an asthma flare, or another lung problem. Asthma involves variable narrowing and inflammation of the airways; symptoms can be triggered by exercise, allergens, smoke, cold air, or infections. The same symptom can therefore arise from different conditions.

Fever, chest discomfort, breathlessness, or a cough that is worsening should be described accurately. Tell the clinician about previous asthma, inhalers, smoking or vaping exposure, allergies, recent infection, and how quickly symptoms developed.

Follow your prescribed asthma action plan if you have one, and use inhalers exactly as directed. Avoid smoke and other known triggers, rest, and drink enough to prevent your throat and airways becoming irritated. Do not start leftover antibiotics, steroids, or someone else’s inhaler. Arrange a clinical review if wheezing is new, symptoms persist, or your usual reliever is not helping as expected.

A clinician may examine your chest, review oxygenation, and decide whether further tests or treatment are appropriate. Information on [Bronchiolitis](/conditions/bronchiolitis/), [Cough](/symptoms/cough/), and [Wheezing](/symptoms/wheezing/) can help you describe symptoms.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, inability to speak in full sentences, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Seek urgent assessment for chest pain, coughing blood, marked exhaustion, high or persistent fever, or breathing that is difficult despite your prescribed reliever. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or severely short of breath.

Ask whether the pattern is more consistent with asthma, infection, or another cause; whether inhaler technique is correct; what monitoring is needed; and which symptoms should send you to urgent or emergency care.