...but it ain't. This is a biopsy of a lung with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a relatively common disorder caused by the inhalation of highly antigenic materials, usually as a result of occupational exposure. "Hypersensitivity" is a better word for what is commonly called "allergy". The latter word is frequently used inappropriately for conditions such as lactose intolerance (referred to as "milk allergy") and gastrointestinal reactions (such as "codeine allergy"). Hypersensitivity is often caused by acute exposure to a previously unknown antigen. "Peanut allergy" is a common hypersensitivity disorder probably caused by overcautious parents rather than anything genetic or epigenetic.
Hypersensitivity (including penicillin allergy) can be treated by judicious desensitization IF the patient is known to be allergic. Acute exposure can be fatal, however. In the aforementioned case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (examples include barber's lung, caused by hairspray, and millworker's lung, caused by a variety or organic compounds) chronic exposure can lead to severe chronic pulmonary disease and early mortality. Regulations about ventilation in the workplace are not just about comfort and convenience nor harassing employers--they are about life and death.
No comments:
Post a Comment