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Pneumonitis is the medical term for the inflammation of the lung tissue. It occurs when the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) are irritated by various allergens or airborne toxic agents. In certain cases, pneumonitis might be the early sign of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis, preceding their onset. Two of the most common symptoms of pneumonitis are a dry cough and a burning sensation in the chest.
Meet Our LawyersThis lung condition has multiple subtypes, the three most known being chronic, acute and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Asbestosis falls under the category of pneumonitis as well, since the disease involves the inflammation of the lung tissue. Similarly, pneumonia is also a type of pneumonitis. However, the differences between the previously mentioned conditions are major and for this reason, each type of pneumonitis requires a specific treatment approach. Therefore, if you were exposed to asbestos and experience some of the symptoms below, it is very important to inform your physician about your asbestos exposure to avoid misdiagnosis:
The complications which can follow untreated pneumonitis include pulmonary fibrosis, COPD and irreversible lung damage. Tissue scarring will gradually occur if the patient does not receive appropriate treatment for this condition. Lung cancer can also be mistaken for a more common type of pneumonitis or for asbestosis due to the symptoms these diseases share, so being evaluated by a highly experienced specialist in pulmonary disease is crucial to make sure you will not be misdiagnosed.
Nevertheless, when it comes to asbestos-related diseases, seeking a second medical opinion is essential. Assigning a correct diagnosis is very challenging even for well-versed specialists and the risk of misdiagnosis is thereby considerable. If you have a history of occupational asbestos exposure, we encourage you to visit at least two experts. A wrong diagnosis will affect both your prognosis and your chances of recovering financial compensation from asbestos trust funds.
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