Living with Farmers lung
A lung reaction to breathing in farm dust, such as hay dust or mold spores, that causes cough and trouble breathing.
Understanding Farmers lung
The symptoms depend on the phase. In the acute phase, people may have fever, chills, cough, trouble breathing, headache, and chest tightness. The subacute phase brings a chronic cough, breathlessness, poor appetite, and weight loss. With long exposure, the chronic phase brings severe breathlessness and lasting lung damage.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list. Its summary describes:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Chest tightness
- Poor appetite and weight loss
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- 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 rare disease patient organizations for support
- 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
Quick facts
It is caused by repeated exposure to and breathing in biological dust, such as hay dust, mold spores, or other farm products.
Also known as: farmer lung; farmer's lung; farmer's lung disease; farmers' lung; farmers' lung disease; moldy hay disease
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Farmers lung.
Explore research for Farmers lung
Explore actively recruiting Farmers lung studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Farmers lung with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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