Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Hypersensitivity pneumonitis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications & Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms
CDC on Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hypersensitivity pneumonitis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

According to duration of illness, the clinical presentation of Hypersentivity Pneumonitis is categorized as Acute, Subacute, or Chronic.

History and Symptoms

Patients with HP present with positive history based on the acute, subacute, or chronic status:

• Acute HP
  • Flulike syndrome
    • Fever, malaise, chills, dyspnea , headache , chest tightness, and cough.
  • Significantly exposure leads to development of HP within hours.
  • Symptoms gradually resolve after removal of exposure.
  • Re-exposure leads to recurrence of symptoms.
• Subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  • Insidious in onset.
  • Symptoms present over weeks to months.
  • Symptoms include dyspnea, cough, and fatigue.
  • Patients may present with anorexia and weight loss.

Subacute (intermittent) hypersensitivity pneumonitis clinical presentation is as follows:

• Insidious onset of productive cough, dyspnea, fatigue over weeks to months
• Progression to persistent cough and dyspnea
• May occur in individuals with frequent acute reactions
• May note anorexia and/or weight loss

Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis clinical presentation is as follows:

• May have unrecognized or untreated acute/subacute disease
• Often presents with no obvious acute episodes, presents as insidious disease
• Progressive dyspnea, cough, fatigue, malaise, and/or weight loss

Acute HP

• Symptoms develop 4-6 hours following exposure to the inciting agent and then generally resolve spontaneously within 12 hours to several days upon removal of the inciting agent.
• Symptoms include the abrupt development of
  • fever
  • chills
  • malaise
  • cough
  • chest tightness
  • dyspnea
  • headache
  • malaise.

Subacute or Intermittent HP

• Symptoms include the gradual development of
  • productive cough
  • dyspnea
  • fatigue
  • anorexia
  • weight loss

• The same symptoms may be present in patients who experience acute attacks on multiple occasions.

Patients with subacute HP present similarly to patients with acute disease, but symptoms are less severe and last longer.

Chronic HP

Patients often lack a history of acute episodes.

They have an insidious onset of cough, progressive dyspnea, fatigue, and weight loss.

Removing exposure results in only partial improvement.