$Unique_ID{BRK00168}
$Pretitle{Respiratory System}
$Title{How Do You Treat "Air Condition Lung"?}
$Subject{pneumonia air conditioner mold hypersensitivity}
$Volume{H-5}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Do You Treat "Air Condition Lung"?


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QUESTION:  This may be a new one for you, but my nephew (he is a medical
student) says you will come up with the answer.  Its a type of pneumonia
caused by air conditioners, and its called "air conditioner lung".  What is
the recommended treatment and can it be treated without antibiotics, as it was
in my case?

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ANSWER:  Medical students, like medical columnists, realize that all the
information necessary to answer the questions, is in a medical book somewhere.
The problem is to find the right book when you need it.  "Air conditioner
lung" is one of a growing number of diseases in a group known as
"hypersensitivity pneumonias".  They are caused by an allergic response after
exposure to a variety of organic dusts, microorganisms, or even simple
chemicals.  One of the first was "Farmer's lung"  caused by exposure to spores
found in moldy hay.  In the case of of air-conditioner lung, the allergen or
causative agent is the same (micropolyspora faeni or thermoactinomycoses
vulgaris) culprit as Farmer's lung, which can produce the acute onset of
symptoms of fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath in 4 to 8 hours after
exposure, in sensitive individuals.  Physical examination and x-rays may
confirm the diagnosis of pneumonia, but it takes a careful history to identify
the cause.  Air conditioner lung (sometimes called humidifier lung), may be
difficult to diagnose unless the patient and the physician can link to disease
to recent contact with the offending appliance.  Effective treatment starts
with ending the exposure to the organism or agent.  This alone may be
sufficient to end the acute disease, but severe cases may require the use of
corticosteroids such as prednisone.  Unless there is an infection complicating
the circumstances, antibiotics are not generally used.  Now try this one on
nephew.  What is "sequoiosis" (It is another disease in this category caused
by moldy sawdust from redwood trees)?
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
