Which of the following describes asthma?

Asthma is indeed described as a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the airways in the lungs. This inflammation leads to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The inflammation can cause the airways to become more sensitive to various triggers, resulting in narrowing of the air passages and difficulty in breathing. The chronic nature of asthma means it can persist over time, often requiring ongoing management and treatment to control symptoms.

The other options describe different medical issues that do not pertain to asthma. For instance, bacterial infections typically involve the presence of bacteria causing illness and inflammation in various parts of the body, which is distinct from the airway inflammation seen in asthma. Acute viral infections are usually self-limiting and involve a sudden onset of symptoms due to a viral pathogen, while the condition involving excess fluid in the lungs, such as pulmonary edema, is fundamentally different from asthma and refers to a buildup of liquid in lung tissues affecting gas exchange. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing that asthma is specifically related to chronic airway inflammation and not to infections or fluid buildup.