Flu, wheezing, and cough

Wheezing is a musical or whistling sound made when air moves through narrowed airways. Viral inflammation can make the chest feel tight and bring on a dry or mucus-producing cough. Acute Bronchitis may cause a cough after a respiratory infection, while Asthma can flare when airways become sensitive.

Young children may wheeze with Bronchiolitis. A sudden episode after food, medicine, or an insect sting raises concern for Anaphylaxis. Allergic Rhinitis can cause nasal symptoms and cough but does not explain every episode of noisy breathing.

Rest, drink fluids, and avoid smoke, strong scents, and strenuous activity while breathing feels irritated. Sit upright and use a prescribed reliever inhaler exactly as directed; do not borrow someone else’s inhaler or start antibiotics without medical advice.

Arrange review if wheezing is new, keeps returning, disturbs sleep, or follows an infection. A clinician may listen to your chest and decide whether inhaled treatment, such as Nebuliser Treatment, is appropriate.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, inability to speak normally, blue or grey lips, collapse, confusion, or rapidly worsening wheezing. Treat sudden wheezing with facial swelling, widespread hives, or throat tightness as an emergency. Children who are struggling to feed or whose ribs pull in with each breath need urgent care.

Explain whether the sound occurs while breathing in or out, when it began, and whether fever, chest pain, mucus, allergies, or a previous Asthma diagnosis is present. Ask how to use your inhaler, when to seek help, and whether follow-up breathing tests are needed.