Municipal authorities in Maharashtra's Thane have warned against feeding pigeons near residential areas as cases of lung disease hypersensitive pneumonia are on the rise. It is a disease that spreads through bird droppings and feathers and damages the lungs. The authorities have put up posters at various places, warning that a fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on those who feed pigeons.

If you are one of those who believe that pigeons are the cutest birds and do no harm, let us tell you that pigeons, especially their feathers and beaks act as carriers of bacteria and viruses, which affect your lungs and can put you at risk of disease. Let us know in detail about hypersensitive pneumonia through the article. DrManoj Sharma, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, is telling us about this.

DrManoj Sharma ji says, “This disease increases in those people who live around beets and feathers. Inhaled antigens produced by bird droppings and feathers enter the lungs and cause an immunological reaction, which damages the lungs.

Symptoms of Hypersensitivity Pneumonia

It is also called hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms appear within a few hours of exposure to the allergen and last for a few hours or days. On the other hand, some symptoms develop slowly and get worse over time. Some common symptoms of the disease are-

  • Breathlessness
  • Muscle pain
  • Dry cough
  • Chest tightness
  • Chills
  • Tiredness
  • High fever
  • Weight loss for no reason

Can hypersensitivity pneumonia become severe?

Hypersensitivity pneumonia can be serious. If you are repeatedly exposed to the allergens that cause HP, the inflammation in your lungs can do a lot of damage.

What does it feel like to have hypersensitivity pneumonia?

In this, you may feel like the flu. Chronic HP develops slowly and can be difficult to detect. But you may have more trouble breathing than before, or you may have a cough or tiredness that gradually builds up.

Diagnosis of Hypersensitivity Pneumonia

Hypersensitivity pneumonia can be diagnosed based on your symptoms, personal history, physical examination, and some other tests.

Allergy test

This is done through blood samples, which check whether you have signs of an allergic reaction.

Imaging

Chest X-rays and CT scans can check for any damage.

Pulmonary function test

Most lung function tests involve breathing into a tube connected to a machine to measure how well your lungs are working.

Bronchoscopy

A small, flexible tube that is passed through your nose or mouth. It can look inside the lungs and collect samples.

How to prevent hypersensitive pneumonia

For this, it is necessary to avoid coming in contact with allergens that cause inflammation of the lungs.

  • If there are too many birds or animals around you or there is too much use of wood, paper, grains etc., then definitely wear a mask.
  • Keep humidifiers, hot tubs, and heating and cooling systems clean.
  • Stay away from bird feathers and beets.
  • Do not keep the water filled in the open for a long time around the house.
  • Do not allow moisture to increase anywhere in the house. This is the cause of mould which can cause problems.

Hypersensitivity pneumonia: Repeated exposure to allergens can increase the risk of lung damage. But if the problem is caught early, you can prevent the damage before it happens. If you have any lung problems, contact the doctor immediately.

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