c68afe06-67d0-fcb7-e25f-322c240f2eb7 flex-box container between col-100 0
d2a8ca89-a29d-7392-8db9-23599b675a4c flex-box col-100 0
c622b1a3-25db-7271-c6f3-7e060f0836a2 col-100 0
Information
What is hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
761c37bf-efc8-b5ef-2525-fb2d3f659bbb flex-box container between col-100 0
1d7c8735-a3cd-2b85-3873-51bcc1a69f23 flex-box col-100 0
614a8917-40c5-2426-5dc3-9b527abc11ad col-100 0
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) affects thousands people in the UK. It is caused when an immune response occurs in the lungs following exposure to a substance in the workplace or home.
4d012dca-7abc-d939-9865-40f7e20c5c11 flex-box col-100 1
5c413521-c0c8-7c3b-2f3c-680dae184a53 col-100 0
Causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis
More than two hundred antigens have been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Common ones include dusts from bird feathers and droppings, moulds found on hay, straw and grain, dampness in the home, metalworking fluids and some medications.
28464915-049b-6b4e-be0d-fa18bd80475f col-100 1
Doctors believe that the immune response occurs as a consequence of repeated, often low-level exposure to these antigens over a period of time.
The immune response causes inflammation of the lungs, particularly the air sacs (alveoli) and smaller airways, making it harder for the lungs to work.
Scientists believe that genetic factors may explain why some people are more likely to develop the disease.
6bf49de0-d9fc-ca22-eb1a-94acc69557e2 flex-box col-100 2
a58daed7-4ca1-c8d1-df60-ab80ca218c56 col-100 0
Symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis
There are two types of hypersensitivity pneumonitis – acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP).
4a7c520a-7f54-8544-e886-6b2a304f5ad4 col-100 1
In acute HP, symptoms develop within a few hours after intense or heavy exposure to the antigen. As well as breathlessness and cough, people may experience fever, chest tightness, fatigue and a headache.
In chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, symptoms generally develop slowly over time and include breathlessness, cough, fatigue and weight loss.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of acute HP are similar to those of asthma or acute respiratory tract infection whereas those of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis may mimic other forms of pulmonary fibrosis, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
72c31369-52f7-73b9-049e-c0cf4016c8e7 flex-box col-100 3
5ae15aec-2062-0299-4839-52183e5d6bb0 col-100 0
Treatments of hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Early and accurate diagnosis is important to ensure removal of the source of the dust or allergen (for example removal of birds, wearing filtration face mask at work, changing job).
73fad9d6-e37a-34de-e112-156de8c59902 col-100 1
Acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis is usually treatable if correctly diagnosed and there is no more exposure to the antigen. However, in many cases it cannot be identified.
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a long-term condition. You may need to take steroids or other immunosuppressive therapies to reduce the inflammation in your lungs.
a94fd842-82f4-3099-ebae-4a54767da0ac col-100 2
You may need oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. You may also be prescribed medications to help manage your cough.
Some patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis may also be considered for lung transplantation.
cee9c797-52c8-32a0-b4b0-24f80fc6eac3 col-100 3
Ongoing treatment
After your diagnosis, you will have regular follow-up appointments with your medical team to monitor your lung disease.
3289b671-1bf1-1b39-4887-7f0c03ea25e2 flex-box col-100 4
515a07ec-9493-8852-2697-9dca6cf81123 col-100 0
Outlook for hypersensitivity pneumonitis
If acute HP is diagnosed early, it may resolve so long as there is no more exposure to the substance involved. But, in about a third of affected people, the lung disease can progress even when there is no further exposure to the antigen, resulting in scar tissue or fibrosis and irreversible damage to the lungs.
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis may get worse over time in a manner similar to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
aeefdd06-ab67-998d-bca3-552e92a7f730 flex-box col-100 5
0224c032-a2ab-eb2a-f90d-22d8db15dcbb col-100 0
Also known as:
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is also known as extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The most common types of hypersensitivity pneumonitis are:
- Bird keeper’s lung
- Pigeon fancier’s lung
- Chemical worker’s lung
- Metal worker’s lung
- Farmer’s lung
- Hot tub lung
5d552175-d6c7-b096-e11f-bf99fe90729e flex-box container between col-100 0
3c72a8ec-c72e-78c5-cc7a-c9d33ccfecf9 flex-box col-100 0
a2f5b179-0a0c-bceb-8755-9262faa2d4af col-100 0
Information on forms of pulmonary fibrosis
323bfead-d758-9e5c-4257-bef887a7931c flex-box container between col-100 0
5f34225c-7065-7c8a-f694-d4fd2d78cf42 flex-box col-100 0
e88c8525-8bfa-ceff-a994-724c0c3e057f col-100 0
Get support
32f4b48d-d083-7629-1a9b-a96e9e60e732 col-100 1
Join a support group in your area
It’s important to remember that you are not alone. There are now over 90 pulmonary fibrosis support groups around the country.
Support groups meet informally to share experiences, provide expert information and raise funds and awareness. Find a group near you.
8d1132af-fa9f-fab7-7786-cdc71647a653 col-100 2
Call our support line
APF runs an email and telephone support line offering information and advice about living with PF. Find out more.
8ab319ce-e2e5-592a-0679-ed4dbde38ebb col-100 3
Find us on social media
We have an active and supportive online community ready to welcome you on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates, news and connections to our online community.
Watch videos of how other people cope day to day with PF.
ff1451d0-49e9-3a7d-3c36-b9decc11718b flex-box container between col-100 0
71c5ca9c-ad5f-cbec-c5ac-0f85d1828c52 flex-box col-100 0
6bf9117a-2a95-926c-feeb-1278df0b5b2a col-100 0
Our website and resources provide general information only. We cannot provide medical advice, treatment or prescriptions, nor can we assess/decide what services or clinicians you should be referred to. Support with these matters will need to be provided by your existing healthcare professional teams.
APF is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage suffered by users resulting from the information published on our website or in our resources.
Tab ID:223