There are many different possible pneumonitis causes. Common causes include:
- Animals. Animal fur, feathers and skin contain allergens that may cause inflammation.
- Bacteria. The bacteria commonly appear in humidifiers, hot tubs and heating and air conditioning symptoms.
- Drugs and medicines. Certain drugs and medications may cause pneumonitis, including aspirin, antibiotics (sulfonamides and nitrofurantoin), heart medicines (amiodarone) and chemotherapy drugs.
- Molds. Examples include mold that grows on hay, straw, grains, cheese, mushrooms and sugar cane.
- Radiation therapy. Pneumonitis may develop after whole-body or chest radiation therapies to treat certain cancers, including breast cancer or lung cancer.
Is pneumonitis contagious?
No, pneumonitis isn’t contagious. However, some viruses or bacteria that may cause pneumonitis are contagious.
Who does pneumonitis affect?
Anyone can get pneumonitis. However, you may be more likely to get pneumonitis if you work:
- Around animals, including farmers, veterinarians, zookeepers and pet store employees.
- On a farm around pesticides or moldy grain and hay.
- In flour, paper or lumber mills.
Using a humidifier in your home or spending time in hot tubs also increases your risk of getting pneumonitis. These devices give off a mist that you breathe in. Without regular cleaning, molds and bacteria can grow, and you may breathe them in through the mist.
How is pneumonitis treated?
If you have pneumonitis, the best way to treat it is to avoid its cause. Your provider may also recommend the following medications or treatments:
- Corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. These medications help reduce lung inflammation. Your provider may prescribe prednisone, mycophenolate or azathioprine.
- Antifibrotic drugs. Antifibrotic drugs help slow down scarring in your lungs. Your provider may prescribe pirfenidone or nintedanib.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation. During pulmonary rehabilitation, you and a healthcare provider will work together to create an exercise program to help increase your lung strength.
- Oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy helps provide your body with oxygen when breathing is difficult. You may need oxygen therapy at all times or only need it during certain activities, such as exercising or sleeping.
- Lung transplant. In severe cases of pneumonitis that progress to pulmonary fibrosis, your provider may recommend replacing one or both of your lungs with a donor’s healthy lungs.
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
It depends on what’s causing your pneumonitis and its severity. It may take several months for your lungs to heal. In some cases, lung damage may be permanent.
What can I expect if I have pneumonitis?
With early diagnosis and treatment, the outlook for pneumonitis is good. If you have acute pneumonitis, your symptoms may go away within a few days after removing the irritant from your environment.
Subacute cases of pneumonitis fall between acute and chronic. They usually occur due to long-term exposure to low levels of irritants. Your symptoms may last a few months, and you typically need medication or therapy.
Chronic pneumonitis damage is usually permanent. However, medication and therapy can help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
How long does pneumonitis last?
Milder cases of pneumonitis may go away within a few days or months once you and a healthcare provider identify the irritant and take the proper steps to avoid it.
Severe cases of pneumonitis usually don’t go away.
Can you fully recover from pneumonitis?
It depends. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can fully recover from acute and subacute cases of pneumonitis. You usually can’t make a full recovery from severe cases of pneumonitis. However, medication and therapy can help make your symptoms more manageable.
Can pneumonitis be prevented?
The best way to lower your risk of developing pneumonitis is to avoid substances that cause lung inflammation. If you must be around potential irritants, you may be able to reduce your exposure by:
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including an N95 mask that filters irritants from the air you breathe.
- Regularly cleaning and sanitizing heating and cooling systems, hot tubs and humidifiers.
- Regularly vacuuming rugs, carpets and other surfaces to remove dust, animal dander and other irritants.
- Running a high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filter in your home to remove airborne allergens.
How do I take care of myself?
If you have pneumonitis, you and your healthcare provider will work together to reduce exposure to what’s causing pneumonitis. Be sure to take all prescribed medications and perform all breathing exercises as directed by your provider.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of pneumonitis or if your symptoms don’t improve with treatment.
When should I go to the ER?
Call 911 or your local emergency number or get to an emergency room immediately if you feel like you can’t get enough air into your lungs.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
- What’s causing my pneumonitis?
- Do I have acute or chronic pneumonitis?
- What’s the best way to avoid the irritant that’s causing pneumonitis?
- Is there permanent damage to my lungs?
- What medications do you recommend?
- When should I start to feel better?
- How often should I schedule follow-up appointments?
- Should I see a pulmonologist?
