Humidifier HP

Category

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Acute/Chronic

Chronic

Synonyms

Air conditioner lung, Humidifier lung

Comments

Acute presentation: flu-like illness with cough;
Subacute: recurrent "pneumonia";
Chronic: exertional dyspnea, productive cough, and weight loss;
The exposure is to mist from contaminated standing water, and the suspected antigens are T. candidus, Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Aureobasidium pullulans, and Acanthamoeba polyhaga. [Harber, p. 202] See "Hypersensitivity pneumonitis."

Latency/Incubation

Weeks to years until "sensitized"; acute symptoms 4-12 hours after exposure;

Diagnostic

Clinical; Chest x-ray; HRCT; Pulmonary function testing; BAL; Lung biopsy;

ICD-9 Code

495.7

ICD-10 Code

J67.7

IDdx Link

Job Tasks

High risk job tasks associated with this disease:

• Inhale bioaerosols in the home, school, or office environment

Agents

Hazardous agents that cause the occupational disease:

• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis antigens