lung problems and birds

[Guest guest]

Reading through the British web site bmj.com, I searched for pneumonitis.

One of the hits at web address

http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/315/7100/70?maxtoshow= & HITS=20 & hits=20 & RESULTFOR\

MAT= & fulltext=pneumonitis & searchid=1028923580511_10104 & stored_search= & FIRSTINDEX\

=0 & resourcetype=1,2,3,4,10

was the editorial:

BMJ 1997;315:70-71 (12 July)

Editorials

Pigeon fancier's lung

Antigen avoidance and respiratory protection are the mainstays of management

One paragraph is quoted below:

" Pigeon fancier's lung is a form of extrinsic allergic alveolitis in which

the repeated inhalation of avian antigens provokes a hypersensitivity

reaction in susceptible subjects.3 4 5 The acute form manifests as recurrent

episodes of breathlessness and cough, with fever, shivering, and malaise,

occurring four to eight hours after exposure to antigen. Lung function tests

and chest radiographs may be abnormal after exposure but usually return to

normal between episodes. The chronic form is characterised by the insidious

development of breathlessness and pulmonary fibrosis. "

This article suggests that anyone with breathing problems who owns birds,

or (in my opinion) other pets, should think seriously about the effect of

these animals on their health, no matter how the problem originated-

chemical exposure, toxic mold, or whatever. If this fits your condition, I

highly recommend reading the whole article.

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