Approximately 100 heterogeneous diseases associated with broncho-obstructive syndrome (BOS) have been attributed to the following phenotypes: infectious-allergic, hemodynamic, endocrine-humoral, chemical, metabolic and neurogenic phenotype. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) and lung auscultation have been declared as potential risk factors for COVID 19 transmission. Altogether this limits an appropriate diagnosis of COPD, bronchial asthma and other diseases with airflow limitation. We reviewed articles published between April 2020 and January 2021 using the keywords “bronchial obstruction“ and “airflow limitation in COVID-19“. Compared to the patients who have had COVID-19 but not COPD, those with COPD had higher rates of fatigue (56.0% vs. 40.2%), dyspnea (66.0% vs. 26.3 %), bacterial or fungal coinfection (20.0% vs. 5.9%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (20.0% vs. 7.3%) and septic shock (14.0% compared to 2.3%). Of note, a recent meta‐analysis of 6 studies in a total of 1558 patients, identified COPD as an independent risk factor for progression of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Studies show a 9% prevalence of asthma, although there is no clear identification of precise clinical phenotypes and treatment of included patients. These results suggest that allergic diseases may not be a predisposing or aggravating factor for COVID-19 . Infectious-allergic phenotype of BOS was the most frequent one and included acute bronchospasm induced by SARS-CoV2 infection, asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis. BOS was confirmed by the presence of wheezes using electronic stethoscope in 1.8-7.1% and by PFT at the time of hospital discharge in 2.7-7.3%. Innovative technologies as alternatives to laboratory PFT have been proposed. Home measurement of peak expiratory flow (PEF), electronic portable spirometers, airwave oscillometry have been found to be comparable with conventional laboratory spirometry in asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. Exhaled nitric oxide measurement can be used to support the diagnosis of asthma characterized by type 2 airway inflammation and the decision to start inhaled corticosteroids . Physical and instrumental findings of broncho-obstructive syndrome are not common in COVID-19. Electronic stethoscope connected to a cellphone, peak expiratory flow measurement, electronic portable spirometers, airwave oscillometry and exhaled nitric oxide measurement have been proposed as alternatives to traditional lung auscultation and pulmonary function tests.