Eosinophilic pneumonia symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and can affect anyone of any age. The most common symptoms are cough, fever and difficulty breathing.
A medical professional can diagnose eosinophilic pneumonia by reviewing your history, physical examination, blood tests and X-rays. Your health provider may refer you to a specialist called a pulmonologist.
The lungs and the blood vessels in your respiratory system are designed to filter out harmful particles from the air. When eosinophils form in your lungs, these particles get trapped and can lead to a buildup of mucus that blocks the airways. The result is shortness of breath and a cough that gets worse suddenly or slowly over time.
When you have eosinophilic pneumonia, your lungs are filled with an overabundance of eosinophils. The eosinophils block your airways and prevent you from getting enough oxygen. The eosinophils can also trigger an asthma attack or cause other problems that require treatment.
Symptoms of eosinophilic pneumonia can be severe and interfere with your daily life, but most people recover with treatment. Your pulmonary specialist can help you manage your symptoms and get better as quickly as possible.
Infectious causes of eosinophilic pneumonia include viruses (such as the flu), bacteria, and parasites. If you have a virus, your doctor will likely treat it with antibiotics and give you antiviral medicine to stop the infection from spreading. In bacteria-related infections, your doctor will prescribe medications to kill the offending bacteria and reduce your symptoms.
Parasitic causes of eosinophilic lung disease include hookworm and nematodes that can live in the soil or in warm water. These parasites can cause infection and inflammation of your lungs, which may lead to eosinophilic pneumonia.
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare disorder in which your lungs develop a thick layer of eosinophils in the interstitium and alveoli. This eosinophilic buildup can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
You will probably need blood tests to check your eosinophil levels and see what type of white blood cells you have. These tests can detect other conditions that might be causing your eosinophilic pneumonia.
If you have an autoimmune disorder that affects your eosinophils, your healthcare provider can treat your condition with an immune-modulating drug. This medication can control your eosinophils and prevent you from having another episode of eosinophilic pneumonia.
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, can also cause eosinophilic pneumonia. These illnesses cause the eosinophils to overproduce and produce an excess of certain chemicals that can damage your lungs and other organs.
Taking certain drugs can also lead to an increase in eosinophils, such as those used for high blood pressure and some cancer medicines. If you take these types of medicines, your healthcare provider will monitor your condition and recommend changes to your treatment.
Noninfectious causes of eosinophilic pulmonary infiltration can occur due to medications or other toxins, such as environmental exposures, or allergic reactions. Those with noninfectious eosinophilic pneumonia usually have a longer recurrence than those with infectious eosinophilic pneumonia.
