Allergic alveolitis is a lung disease triggered by certain substances such as molds, bacteria, animal proteins or chemicals. The symptoms are cough, fever and shortness of breath. They usually disappear after a few days if the patient no longer comes into contact with the allergenic substance. In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe cortisone.
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Exogenous allergic alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is a lung disease in which an allergy-induced inflammation of the alveoli (pulmonary alveoli) occurs. It is triggered by substances that enter the lungs through inhaled dust, such as molds, bacteria, animal proteins or chemicals. These can trigger an allergic overreaction of the immune system if the patient inhales them.
Exogenous allergic alveolitis is rather rare and usually affects certain occupational groups: farmer's lung, for example, is an exogenous allergic alveolitis caused by working with dried hay.
In addition to exogenous allergic alveolitis, there is also diffuse fibrosing alveolitis. Here, however, the cause is unknown.
In an acute course, coughing, fever and shortness of breath usually occur at the latest 8 hours after contact. The symptoms subside within hours or days if the patient no longer comes into contact with the allergy triggers.
If the patient continues to have contact with the substances, the disease can become chronic and lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
In order for doctors to diagnose allergic alveolitis, all other possible diseases must first be ruled out.
The doctor then performs an X-ray examination to identify signs of inflammation. Controlled inhalation of the antigens (provocation test) gives the patient certainty.
Coughing, shortness of breath and fever are common symptoms of exogenous allergicalveolitis @ Tetiana /AdobeStock
The most important step after diagnosis of the disease is to avoid the triggering substances. Without avoidance, treatment is virtually impossible. If it is an occupational disease, patients must consider changing their occupation. In particularly severe cases of the disease, doctors may administer cortisone for several months.
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