can you get asthma at any age?

[PumpkinsCantDanceTheTango]

Got chest infection, had it for a while but just diagnosed today and got antibiotics. Dr said if its not gone in 2 weekks to go to GP for asthma test. I just nodded, felt too shit to ask. But why? Can you just "get" asthma?!

I reckon so. I became asthmatic after a dose of bronchitis that I left too long to get treated (assumed it was a virus). 12 years later I'm still asthmatic although not as bad as I used to be.

Yes you can. I am living, coughing proof.

yep. Also agree. My brother got it at 53, my dh had it as a child and then got it back after a general anaesthetic, in his forties, which is apparently "not uncommon"... my two of my dc have asthma, one born with it and the other from 8 months as an allergy type thing.

yep my father got diagnosed with asthma at 56yo, if it is allergiv asthma then like any allergy you can get it at any time even if you have always been fine beforehand.

Asthma post cold/virus/chest infection is fairly common and as i understand it is more likely to be transient. however it is also not uncommon for asthma gained in this mannor to stay on after the illness has gone and the illness induced asthma should have cleared.

im 54 and i have just recently started with asthma especially after exercise. its really annoying as i play a hell of alot of sport

Yes, I got it in my early 30's.

I was diagnosed in my thirties, after developing breathing difficulties as a reaction to a washing powder. I believe that it was a recurrence of childhood asthma, which was never diagnosed as really it was very underdiagnosed in the sixties and seventies when I was young. I have always suffered from chest infections after colds and that is now my main trigger. Do you have hay fever and or eczema, I do and my GP said when I was diagnosed with asthma that is almost inevitable that you will get it if you have both those. The good news is that after losing quite a lot of weight I have been put on a lower strength inhaler and only need to take it when I have a cold. Hope you feel better soon.

Used to get hayfever not had it for ages but yes get excema very often. Feel awful :( I feel a bit like when I came round from general anesthetic and couldnt breath properly. yuck.

Yes.

Looks like you can

Yep I thought I was ill and couldnt sleep evenyually it had me go to hospital but I was convinced I was just getting old and feble.

I think mine was brought on by stress in fact it WAS.

bit better now and dont take my inhaler as I dont want to rely on medication if I can help it.

I get all hot before an attack and breething is hindered just before a period.Hope this helps?

I developed asthma at 19 as a direct result of living with a smoker. Stuck with it now. It's pants at times.

I became asthmatic at 35 - had a VERY mild chest infection, but kept coughing for 3 months afterwards. Don't panic - I use the preventer inhaler twice a day and hardly need to use the other one.

my mum first had it at 38 after having plueresy,she had a few bad bouts then didn't really have much bother after thet although being a smoker.

When I went for my post natal check up after DC3 was born, the nurse listened to my breathing and asked if anyone had ever diagnosed me with asthma.