‘Bird droppings and feathers can cause interstitial lung disease’

LUCKNOW: Keeping a bird in your house needs extra caution as its feathers or droppings can cause serious ailments as they are potential allergens, said experts at the national level continued medical education (CME) programme organised on Saturday by the Chest Care and Research Society in association with Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital.

“Bird feathers can cause a type of interstitial lung disease (ILD). There are as many as 140 types of ILD,” said Prof Rajendra Prasad, director, medical education, Era’s Medical College, while talking to media on the sidelines of the event.

More than half of the interstitial lung diseases (ILD) were incorrectly diagnosed and confused with tuberculosis. Also, in 70% of those diagnosed, the exact reason was not known, said experts. “Around 70% of the first 500 ILD cases that I handled came to me after undergoing treatment for tuberculosis first,” said Prof Prasad. Dr Raj Kumar, director, VP Chest Institute, New Delhi, said, “ILD is not one but a combination of about 140 diseases. Hence, it is important to classify each case in to its sub-division, which is not done in majority of cases.” Experts from different parts of the country working to provide correct diagnosis and treatment of ILD, delivered lectures at the event. “Our aim is to make doctors aware about ILD so that patients can get correct treatment on time,” said Prof Prasad. Dr D Behra of PGI, Chandigarh, said, “The first estimate of ILD was done in America that said that of one lakh people, 30 suffer with ILD. Physicians need to play active role in the early diagnosis of ILD .”