acute extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Acute extrinsic allergic alveolitis is a recurrent disease. Four to eight hours after exposure the patient complains of:
- breathlessness
- tightness in the chest
- cough
More general symptoms such as malaise, fever, headache and myalgia may develop. The relationship between the exposure to dust and the development of symptoms is not always obvious because the initial reaction may be so slight.
On examination, there may be fine crepitations. If pulmonary fibrosis has developed, the patient may be clubbed.
Dyspnoea and cyanosis suggest severe disease.