A 48-year-old member asked:
Whats the difference between hypersensitivity pneumonitis and asthma?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Andrew Murphyanswered
Allergy and Immunology 30 years experience
Similar: Asthma is, in most cases, an allergic reaction caused by ige or the allergy antibody. Hypersensitivity pnemonitis is a different immune reaction caused by igg, usually. Both can make one short of breath but the reason for this symptom is different pathology.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. William Walshanswered
Addiction Medicine 18 years experience
What is effected: Asthma is a disease of chronic mid to small airway inflammation, sometimes caused by allergens but not always. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is inflammation of the lung tissue itself as the result of exposure to allergens (eg birds) , it usually resolves when the allergen is removed, although long term exposure can lead to scarring.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 34-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between hypersensitivity pneumonitis and asthma?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Ramirezanswered
Allergy and Immunology 19 years experience
Very different: Hp is a hypersensitivity reaction usually to some organic material usually mold, but also food particles, bird droppings, pets, grains, etc. Asthma presents with mostly reversible airway obstruction due to exercise, allergens, infections. Both can present with sob, cough, wheezing, but hp can also have fever. Hp usually resolves or kept from turning into fibrosis, once removed from trigger.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between hypersensitivity pneumonitis and asthma attacks?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Hatem Asadanswered
Pulmonology 35 years experience
Asthma attack: Asthma attack is an airway disease that involves the air passage thru the airways.Hypersensitivity pneumonitis(hp) involves the actual tissues of the lungs which are beyond the airways. Type of injury is differrent.Asthma attack is an acute reaction. While hp is slower mechanism, and presents with insidious progress.Asthma can also be a slow proccess, when it is poorly controlled.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 4, 2013
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