Treatment
BFL symptoms improve in the absence of the bird proteins which caused the disease. Therefore it is advisable to remove all birds, bedding and pillows containing feathers from the house as well as washing all soft furnishings, walls, ceilings and furniture. Certain small mammals kept as pets have the same or similar proteins in their fur and faeces and so should be removed. Peak flow measurements will indicate a lung condition however a spirometric test on lung capacity and patients ability to move air in and out of the lungs plus in more advanced cases an X-ray test are available to confirm whether someone has the disease or not. Steroid inhalers similar to those used for asthma are effective or in cases where the patient finds inhaling difficult high dosages of steroids combined with bone density protecting drugs are used to treat a person with BFL, reducing the inflammation and hopefully preventing scarring. Recovery varies from patient to patient depending on what stage the condition was at when the patient consulted the doctor, the speed of diagnosis and application of the appropriate treatment to prevent residual damage to the lungs - some make a full recovery. However, BFL may reoccur when in contact with birds or other allergens.
Read more about this topic: Bird Fancier's Lung
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