Asthma and pneumonia both affect the lungs. Asthma is a chronic condition, while pneumonia is a short-term lung infection. Treatments differ but can help both conditions.
Asthma causes periodic inflammation and narrowing of the airways. It affects the main bronchi, which are the two tubes that branch off the trachea (windpipe). Asthma isn’t curable, but you can effectively manage it.
Pneumonia is a lung infection. It can occur in one or both lungs. It causes inflammation of the air sacs and can also cause your lungs to fill with fluid. It’s possible to treat and cure pneumonia.
Read on to learn more about asthma and pneumonia, including the connection between the two, their causes and symptoms, treatment options, and more.
People who have chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma may be at higher risk of developing pneumonia.
This may be due to chronic inflammation or swelling of the lungs.
Some of the key differences between the conditions can be seen in the table below.
| Asthma | Pneumonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Causes shortness of breath | Yes | Yes |
| Causes a cough | Yes | Yes |
| Causes an increase in pulse rate | Yes | Yes |
| Causes an increase in respiratory rate | Yes | Yes |
| Causes fever | No | Yes |
| Causes wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe | Yes | Yes |
| Causes a crackling sound when you breathe | Sometimes | Yes |
| Is manageable with treatments | Yes | Yes |
| Is curable | No | Yes |
Asthma and pneumonia can both cause:
- shortness of breath
- coughing
- wheezing
- increase in pulse rate
- increase in respiratory rate
However, there are some differences as well.
Symptoms of asthma
Asthma flare-ups can include:
- coughing
- tightness of the chest
- wheezing
If it progresses, it can speed up breathing and pulse rates. Decreased lung function can make it difficult to breathe. You may hear a high-pitched whistling sound when you breathe.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. They can last a few minutes to hours or days. There may be few symptoms between asthma flare-ups, also called exacerbations.
Possible triggers of asthma symptoms include:
Symptoms of pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia can be mild or severe. You might initially feel like you have the common cold. As the infection progresses, your cough may be accompanied by green, yellow, or bloody mucus.
Other symptoms can include:
- headache
- clammy skin
- loss of appetite
- tiredness
- chest pain that worsens when you breathe or cough
- shortness of breath
- fever
Viral pneumonia symptoms start out much like those of the flu and include fever, muscle pain, and dry cough. As it progresses, the cough gets worse, and you may produce mucus. Shortness of breath and fever can follow.
Bacterial pneumonia symptoms include a temperature that could go as high as 105ºF (40.6ºC). Such a high fever can lead to confusion and delirium.
Your pulse and breathing rates may rise. Your nail beds and lips may turn blue due to lack of oxygen.
Researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes asthma. There may be an inherited tendency to develop asthma. There may also be environmental factors.
Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of things, such as:
- viruses, including the flu virus
- bacteria
- mycoplasmas
- fungi
- other infectious agents
- various chemicals
Anyone can get asthma. Most people start to have symptoms during childhood. The risk factors for asthma include:
- a family history of asthma
- a personal history of respiratory infections or allergies
- exposure to airborne allergens, chemicals, or smoke
- smoking during pregnancy, which
increases the risk of childhood asthma
Anyone can get pneumonia, too. Having asthma may increase your risk of developing pneumonia. Smoking can also increase the risk.
Other risk factors include:
- recently had a respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu
- chronic lung disease
- heart failure
- diabetes
- liver disease
- kidney disease
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If you have the symptoms of asthma, your doctor will likely begin by taking a complete medical history and performing a physical exam, inspecting your nose, throat, and airways.
Your doctor may then ask you to breathe into a spirometer to test your lung function. They may also perform allergy tests.
If your symptoms suggest pneumonia, your doctor may start by listening to your lungs.
In
Checking your mucus can also help your doctor determine what type of pneumonia you have.
Asthma requires both short-term treatment and long-term management. In most cases, doctors can treat and cure pneumonia within a short time.
Treating asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. You should get treatment for symptom flare-ups quickly. An acute asthma attack is a life threatening medical emergency.
If you can identify symptom triggers, you can try to avoid them. Allergy medications may also help.
Your doctor may recommend medications such as quick-relief medications and controller medications.
If you have severe asthma, you may need to use daily medications to prevent attacks. These may include inhaled or oral corticosteroids and long-term beta-2 agonists.
Treating pneumonia
Your doctor may recommend home remedies for pneumonia. Home care can include:
- getting plenty of res,
- drinking lots of fluids to loosen phlegm
- using over-the-counter (OTC) medications to manage fever
WarningChildren and anyone under the age of 18 should never take aspirin for an illness. This is because of the risk of a rare but fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome.
Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for viral pneumonia or antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia.
People with severe pneumonia may require hospitalization and may need to receive:
- intravenous (IV) fluids
- antibiotics
- medication for chest pain
- chest physical therapy
- oxygen therapy or other assistance with breathing
It’s possible to monitor and successfully manage asthma. While asthma is not curable, most people with asthma live full, active lives.
It takes up to a few weeks to fully recover from pneumonia.
In severe cases, or without treatment, both conditions can be life threatening. Contact a doctor as soon as you have concerns about asthma or pneumonia.
Asthma isn’t preventable. Following a suitable treatment plan for asthma and avoiding any known triggers may help reduce the frequency or severity of flares.
You can get a vaccination for a type of bacterial pneumonia called pneumococcal pneumonia. Doctors recommend this vaccine for certain people at risk of developing the condition. Ask your doctor if you should get the vaccine.
You can also reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by:
- washing your hands regularly to help reduce the spread of germs
- not smoking, since tobacco use can make it more difficult for your lungs to fight off infection
- consuming a healthy, balanced diet
- getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
Asthma and pneumonia can both cause problems with breathing and other symptoms affecting the lungs. Asthma is a chronic condition, while pneumonia is a temporary infection of the lungs.
While asthma is not curable, you can manage it with medications and by avoiding triggers. Depending on the cause of the infection, your doctor may recommend antivirals or antibiotics to cure pneumonia.
Both asthma and pneumonia can be serious. Contact your doctor if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Your doctor can order tests to confirm the diagnosis and advise on a suitable treatment plan.