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Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Alternative Names:
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis; Farmer's lung; Mushroom picker's disease; Humidifier or air-conditioner lung; Bird breeder's lung

Treatment:
Treatment seeks to identify the offending allergen and avoid further exposure to it. A change of occupations may be necessary if future worksite exposure is unavoidable. In chronic forms of the disease, treatment with glucocorticoids (a type of steroid drugs) can be tried because this may decrease inflammation.

Expectations (prognosis):
Most symptoms resolve after exposure to the allergen is limited.

Complications:

Pulmonary fibrosis is a possible complication of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.



Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis develop.

Review Date: 5/7/2003
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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