Hypersensitivity pneumonitis corresponds to inflammation of the lungs due to allergic reactions caused by microorganisms, dust or chemical agents, which leads to coughing, difficulty breathing and fever.
Pneumonitis can be classified according to its cause into several types, such as:
- Chemical pneumonitis, the cause of which is the inhalation of dust, toxic or contaminated substances and chemical agents used in the production of synthetic rubber and packaging materials, for example; Infectious pneumonitis, which is caused by microorganisms, such as fungi due to the inhalation of mold, or bacteria and protozoa; Lupus pneumonitis, which happens due to autoimmune diseases, this type being more rare; Interstitial pneumonitis, which is also called Hamman-Rich Syndrome, which is a rare disease of unknown cause and which can lead to respiratory failure.
In addition, pneumonitis can be caused by inhaling the air contaminated with moldy hay particles, dirty air conditioning, sugar cane residues, moldy cork, barley or moldy malt, cheese mold, infected wheat bran and contaminated coffee beans, for example.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of inflammation of the lungs are:
- Cough; Shortness of breath; Fever; Weight loss without apparent cause; Difficulty breathing; Increased respiratory rate, known as tachypnea.
The diagnosis of pneumonitis is made by means of a clinical evaluation, in addition to the results of some tests, such as lung X-rays, laboratory tests that assess lung function and the measurement of some antibodies in the blood. In addition, lung biopsy and bronchoscopy can be requested by the doctor to clarify doubts and conclude the diagnosis. Know what it is for and how bronchoscopy is performed.
How to treat
The treatment of pneumonitis has the objective of reducing the person's exposure to the agents that cause the disease, being indicated the absence from work in some cases. In the case of infectious pneumonitis, the use of antibiotics, antifungals or antiparasitic agents may be indicated according to the isolated infectious agent.
In some cases, the disease remits within hours after moving away from the causative agents, although the cure does not come until a few weeks later. It is common that, even after the cure of the disease, the patient feels short of breath when making physical efforts, due to the pulmonary fibrosis that can settle.
In the most severe cases, it may be necessary for the individual to be admitted to a hospital to receive oxygen and medications to control the allergic reaction.
