Viral asthma is more common than most people believe. It can be tough to tell if you have viral or bacterial asthma and how best to treat it. That’s why we’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions about viral asthma and their answers. We hope reading through them will help you determine whether your symptoms are caused by a virus or bacteria and what steps to take next.
What Is Viral Asthma?
Viral asthma is a type of asthma that is caused by a virus, not an allergy. Viral asthma is not contagious, so you can’t get it from someone else. It may last up to two weeks, but it usually gets better within seven to ten days.
Viral asthma can occur at any age and in both adults and children. Viral asthma usually starts with wheezing or shortness of breath that worsens when coughing or laughing (even while sleeping).
What Are the Symptoms of Viral Asthma?
- runny nose
- sneezing
- coughing
- chest tightness
- wheezing (a whistling noise when you breathe out)
- difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or exercise.
Who Gets Viral Asthma?
Viral asthma affects anyone, but it is more common in children. Viral asthma can be triggered by exposure to other people with a viral infection, which may also occur after an upper respiratory infection or virus.
How Do I Know If a Virus Caused Asthma?
If you’re wondering if a virus causes your asthma, there are several things you can look for. The first thing to do is look for a pattern. If your symptoms come and go, sometimes disappearing entirely for weeks or months and then returning with a vengeance, then an infection may be causing them.
Next, try to identify the trigger that causes these episodes of asthma. Sometimes viruses can be inhaled into the lungs (such as when someone has cold symptoms). Still, other times they’re transmitted via other means, such as physical contact or even contaminated objects like clothing or toys.
If you’re unable to find anything that seems like an apparent cause for what’s going on with your asthma symptoms—a cold or flu isn’t enough of an explanation—then there might not be any simple explanation at all! But don’t worry; plenty of other treatments are available besides just taking over-the-counter drugs when dealing with viral infections too!
How Is Viral Asthma Treated?
- medication to relieve symptoms. The goal of treating viral asthma is to control your symptoms so you don’t have an asthma attack. Beta-agonists are often prescribed to help open up airways and reduce inflammation. Some examples of these medications include albuterol, terbutaline, and formoterol (Foradil).
- avoid triggers. As with other types of asthma, viral infections are triggered by different things depending on the person and their sensitivity level—it could be pollen or dust mites for some people but not others; it could be pets or mold spores for some people but not others. Whatever the trigger is for you, avoiding it as much as possible will help keep your viral asthma under control and prevent future flare-ups from occurring—even if they’re caused by something else entirely (like a cold).
- stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water helps keep mucus thinned out so that it doesn’t block your airways as easily when you go through coughing fits or sneezing spells—which also means that staying hydrated may also help reduce coughing fits/sneezing spells too since there isn’t as much mucus in their system!
Are There Ways to Avoid Getting Viral Asthma?
While there is no foolproof way to avoid viral asthma, there are ways you can reduce your risk of contracting a virus in general. The best way to prevent any type of allergy or asthma is through prevention, which includes:
- avoiding people who have colds or the flu
- avoiding crowded places
- always wash your hands
- use face coverings when in a crowd
In addition to these steps, wash your hands frequently and clean your home. You may even want to try using a humidifier in the winter months if you live in an area prone to dry air during this time. As for vaccinations, you can get them for both influenza (the flu) and pertussis (whooping cough) when they become available each year; these vaccines help protect against two common viruses associated with viral asthma outbreaks.
You Have More Control Over Your Asthma with the Help of Asthma Specialists at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Central Florida
You may have more control over your asthma than you think. There are things you can do to reduce the chances of getting it or control it.
How to avoid viral asthma:
- stay home and rest if you’re sick. If someone in your family has a cold, stay away from them until they’re better.
- keep your distance from people coughing, sneezing, or spreading germs around the house. This will help protect everyone in the family against viruses, including those with asthma.
With these answers in hand, you can better assess your asthma and even take steps to prevent it. If you experience symptoms of viral asthma, contact our asthma specialists in Maitland at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Central Florida, and we will be able to give you the care that you need.