$Unique_ID{BRK00168}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{How Do You Treat "Air Condition Lung"?}
$Subject{pneumonia air conditioner mold hypersensitivity Respiratory System
Condition Lung Lungs pneumonia conditioners hypersensitivities pneumonias dusts
microorganisms Farmer Farmer's spores moldy hay air-conditioner allergen
micropolyspora faeni thermoactinomycoses vulgaris fever chills cough breath
shortness humidifier prednisone sequoiasis redwood dust spore mold}
$Volume{H-5}
$Log{The Process of an Allergic Reaction*0001201.scf
Cross Section of a Lung*0005901.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Do You Treat "Air Conditioner Lung"?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 air-conditioner lung, the allergen or
causative agent is the same culprit as Farmer's lung (micropolyspora faeni or
thermoactinomycoses vulgaris), 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 "sequoiasis"?  (It is another disease in this category caused
by moldy sawdust from redwood trees.)

----------------

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.