Asthma triggers may include which of the following?

• A. High-fat diet
• B. Exercise, allergic responses, illness
• C. Cold weather only
• D. Bacterial infections only

Answer: (B)

Asthma triggers are factors that provoke airway narrowing or inflammation in someone with asthma. Exercise can cause symptoms because rapid, deep breathing cools and dries the airways, making them more prone to constriction. Allergic responses trigger inflammation when a person encounters allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, leading to bronchoconstriction. Illness, especially viral respiratory infections, inflames the airways and increases mucus production, worsening symptoms. Together, these categories—physical activity, allergens, and infections—cover the most common triggers people with asthma experience, which is why this combination is the best answer. The other options don’t fit as well: a high-fat diet isn’t a direct asthma trigger; cold weather can trigger in some individuals but is not the sole or universal trigger; bacterial infections aren’t the typical primary trigger, whereas illnesses (often viral) are.