Wheezing cough: what should you know?

Wheezing often sounds high-pitched, especially when breathing out, while coughing clears irritation or secretions. Asthma presents with wheezing and cough that can vary over time or after triggers such as exercise, cold air or allergens. Acute Bronchitis can inflame the breathing tubes and produce cough with mucus. Allergic Rhinitis can cause drainage from the nose into the throat, adding to cough, while COPD may cause ongoing cough and wheeze. Bronchiolitis is a consideration in infants with cough, noisy breathing and difficulty feeding. The sound alone cannot identify the cause.

Move away from smoke, dust, sprays and other known irritants. Sip fluids, rest and keep a note of when the cough and wheeze appear, including at night or with activity. If a clinician has prescribed a reliever inhaler, use it exactly as directed and check your technique at review. Avoid using leftover antibiotics or someone else’s inhaler. A clinician can examine your chest and decide whether you need breathing tests or other treatment. Nebuliser Treatment is sometimes given in an acute-care setting for medicine delivered as a fine mist.

Call emergency services if breathing becomes severe, speech is difficult, lips look blue or grey, you become confused or faint, or your throat, lips or tongue swell. Anaphylaxis may cause wheeze together with hives, swelling, vomiting or collapse and needs immediate action. Seek prompt care for a first episode, a cough after choking, coughing blood, chest pain, marked fever, or symptoms that are steadily worsening. A child who is working hard to breathe or cannot drink should be assessed urgently.

What could be narrowing my airways? Should I be checked for Asthma or infection? How should I respond if the wheeze returns? Do I need a breathing test, inhaler review or follow-up appointment?