Congestion and wheezing: what to know

Wheezing is a musical or whistling sound caused by air moving through narrowed airways. A viral infection such as acute bronchitis can produce chest mucus and temporary airway irritation. Allergic rhinitis may block the nose, while asthma can cause episodic wheeze, chest tightness and cough after triggers such as dust, exercise or infection. COPD may cause persistent breathlessness and cough, particularly in people with a history of smoking or other long-term airway exposure.

In babies and young children, bronchiolitis can cause noisy breathing, feeding difficulty and faster breathing. Anaphylaxis can begin with wheeze alongside swelling of the lips or tongue, hives, vomiting or sudden collapse. The sound alone cannot identify the cause; the speed and effort of breathing matter more.

Sit upright, keep calm and move away from smoke, dust or a suspected trigger. Sip fluids if you can swallow comfortably. If you have a prescribed reliever inhaler, use it exactly as your clinician instructed and keep track of whether it helps. Do not borrow an inhaler or start antibiotics without advice. A clinician may listen to your chest, measure oxygen levels and decide whether an inhaler, nebuliser treatment or another plan is appropriate. Children with wheeze should be watched closely for changes in feeding, alertness and breathing effort.

Call emergency services immediately for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, inability to speak in full sentences, marked chest pulling, sudden swelling of the face or tongue, fainting or rapidly worsening symptoms. Seek same-day medical advice for a first episode of wheezing, wheeze after a new medicine or food, fever with significant breathing difficulty, or symptoms that do not settle with your prescribed plan. Babies who are struggling to feed, unusually sleepy or breathing rapidly need urgent assessment.

Ask what may be narrowing the airways, whether you need breathing tests, how to use any inhaler correctly, which signs belong in your written action plan, and when follow-up should occur.