Wheezing breath: Is it asthma or a lung infection?

Asthma, pneumonia, or lung infections are diseases that occur in the respiratory system but are not the same. Pneumonia or lung infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, usually entering the body through the respiratory tract. Children or all of us are always at risk of infection. Maintaining a strong body and high immunity can help reduce the risk of these infections. However, if infected, the severity of the disease depends partly on the health and strength of the patient. As for asthma, it is a disease caused by an allergic reaction to allergens, detailed as follows.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease caused by the body’s reaction when encountering allergens, leading to chronic inflammation of the respiratory mucosa. The bronchi become abnormal, such as the muscles around the bronchi contracting, the bronchial mucosa swelling, and increased mucus production in the bronchial lining.

Causes of asthma

There are three main factors or causes of asthma:

1. 1. Genetic factors, which are the main factors. Children with parents who have asthma or allergies are more likely to develop the condition than those whose parents do not.
   2. Airborne allergens, especially children living in homes or environments with dust mites, cockroaches, fungi, pollen, chemicals, or pets.
   3. Poor health due to lack of exercise, including psychological conditions such as stress.

Early symptoms of asthma… easy to notice

Children or people with asthma often cough at night. If they exercise or are exposed to cold air, they may have wheezing when exhaling and breathe faster than usual. They may also have chest retractions at the rib cage or the back of the neck when breathing.

Asthma treatment steps

There are three main approaches to asthma treatment:

1. 1. Control allergens by reducing the presence of allergens in the home. This can be done by regularly cleaning bedding, carpets, clothes, furniture, kitchens, and household items to prevent the accumulation of dust mites, dust, and cockroaches. If there are pets, their living areas should be separated from people.
   2. Treatment with medication and other methods When medication is necessary, doctors may prescribe oral or inhaled medications and use steroid medications to control symptoms and reduce bronchial inflammation. Nasal saline irrigation helps wash away allergens and reduce exposure to allergens attached to nasal hairs or mucosa.
   3. Vaccination is usually done when other treatments fail to adequately control symptoms, or for patients who experience side effects from medications, cannot avoid allergen exposure, or prefer not to use medication. Allergy vaccines are made from allergens. Once the allergen causing the allergy is identified, the vaccine containing that allergen is administered in gradually increasing doses from low to high concentration. This treatment takes several years, depending on the individual patient.

However, it is necessary to undergo examination to determine the cause and diagnose whether the wheezing sound is due to asthma or not. If it is an allergy symptom or another disease, appropriate treatment can be provided.

Dr. Siripim Penchat
Pediatric respiratory specialist
Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 1 Hospital