20th February 2025

Signs and symptoms of HP

Acute (4-8 h after exposure): fever, dry cough, dyspnoea. Examination reveals crackles and squeaks on the chest and sometimes wheeze. If exposure ceases, symptoms often settle within a few days.

Chronic (weeks-months after exposure): cough, dyspnoea, weight loss, anorexia and reduced exercise tolerance. Cyanosis and clubbing may develop, as well as inspiratory crackles in the lower lung fields on auscultation. Chronic hypoxaemia may lead to pulmonary hypertension with right heart failure. Patients can experience acute-on-chronic exacerbations.