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Living with Bronchiolitis obliterans with obstructive pulmonary disease

A lung disease with inflammation in the small air tubes and air sacs, causing shortness of breath and a dry cough.

Understanding Bronchiolitis obliterans with obstructive pulmonary disease

Bronchiolitis obliterans with obstructive pulmonary disease, also called BOOP, is a lung disease with inflammation in the small air tubes (bronchioles) and air sacs (alveoli).

It can start at any time in life. It may be caused by viral infections, various drugs, and other medical conditions. If the cause is known, it is called secondary BOOP. In many cases, the cause is unknown, called idiopathic BOOP or cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Dry cough
  • Fever
  • Low blood oxygen
  • Airway blockage (obstructive lung disease)
  • Lung and respiratory infections

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include lung and breathing specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Children's Interstitial Lung Disease Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Lung and breathing specialists (pulmonologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Children's Interstitial Lung Disease Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Children's Interstitial Lung Disease Foundation and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Is my BOOP secondary to a cause, or idiopathic?
Could a medicine I take be linked to it?
How will you monitor my breathing and oxygen?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

BOOP can be caused by viral infections, various drugs, and other medical conditions. In many cases, the cause is unknown.

Respiratory

Also known as: boop; bronchiolitis fibrosa obliterans; bronchiolitis obliterans; bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome; constrictive bronchiolitis; ob - obliterative bronchiolitis

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Bronchiolitis obliterans with obstructive pulmonary diseaseGARD ID 5961 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Bronchiolitis obliterans with obstructive pulmonary disease.

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