Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

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Revising Medical Author : George Schiffman, MD
Revising Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• What is hypersensitivity pneumonitis and causes it?
• What is acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
• What are the symptoms of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
• What is chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
• What are the symptoms of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
• What are examples of hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
• How is hypersensitivity pneumonitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for hypersensitivity pneumonitis?

What is hypersensitivity pneumonitis and what causes it?

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an inflammation of the lung (usually of the very small airways) caused by the body's immune reaction to small air-borne particles. These particles can be bacteria, mold, fungi, or even inorganic matter.

What is acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis?

Acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis tends to occur 4-12 hours after exposure (usually heavy exposure) to the particles.

What are the symptoms of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis?

Symptoms of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis include:

• fever,
  
  
• chills,
  
  
• coughing,
  
  
• shortness of breath,
  
  
• body aches, etc.

Chest x-rays may show diffuse small nodules in the lungs. Typically, the symptoms will subside hours to days after exposure (provided there are no repeated exposures). The Chest x-ray abnormalities will also disappear. The patient's condition can deteriorate after exposure; therefore it is imperative that a medical evaluation be performed to determine the best course of treatment.

What is chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis?

Chronic (long-term) hypersensitivity pneumonitis causes lung scarring (fibrosis).

What are the symptoms of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis?

Symptoms of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis include:

• of shortness of breath and,
  
  
• cough.

Chronic disease is believed to occur after prolonged low grade exposure to the offending particles.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Chest X-ray - A chest x-ray is a radiology test that involves exposing the chest briefly to radiation to produce an image of the chest and the internal organs of the chest. chest x-ray can be used to define abnormalities of the lungs such as excessive fluid, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, cysts, and cancers.
• Pulmonary Fibrosis - Pulmonary fibrosis means scarring throughout the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis has many causes such as exposure to asbestos, silica, and infections.
• Bronchoscopy - Read about bronchoscopy, a procedure used to view a patient's lung, airways, voice box, vocal cord, trachea, and many branches of bronchi. There are two types of bronchoscopes, flexible fiberoptic and rigid.

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