Description Inflammation of the...
Description
Inflammation of the lungs caused by a continual allergic reaction in the lungs. The disease is caused by breathing in dust. The body's immune system reacts to microscopic particles in the dust. The immune reaction, designed to rid the lung of the dust, actually injures the lung, instead. Fluid and white blood cells enter the breathing sacs in the lungs (alveoli) and produce symptoms that resemble an infection of lung (pneumonia). This disorder is more common in farmers and those that raise birds. Most patients recover completely after they remove themselves from the allergic stimulus.
Symptoms
Cough, fever, breathing problems, fatigue, chills, chest tightness. .
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be done. An x-ray will be performed. A bronchoscopy or lung biopsy may be done to examine the lung tissue under a microscope.
Tests:
Antibody Tests, Bronchoscopy, X-ray
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pulmonology, Pediatric Pulmonology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be done. An x-ray will be performed. A bronchoscopy or lung biopsy may be done to examine the lung tissue under a microscope.
Tests:
Antibody Tests, Bronchoscopy, X-ray
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pulmonology, Pediatric Pulmonology
Treatment
Therapy depends on identifying what is causing the allergic response and removing the patient from this exposure. Steroids may be used to speed up the recovery.