Simple Eosinophilic Pneumonia

What is simple eosinophilic pneumonia?

Simple eosinophilic pneumonia is a condition where you have too many eosinophils (e-o-SIN-o-fils) in your blood. Eosinophils are white blood cells. They are part of your body's defense to help fight infection with parasites (small living creatures). With simple eosinophilic pneumonia, too many eosinophils are made and stay for too long in your airways or lung tissues. This condition is also called Loffler syndrome or pulmonary eosinophilia. The eosinophils irritate your lung tissues, making them inflamed (red) and swollen, and cause pneumonia.

What causes simple eosinophilic pneumonia?

• Parasites: These are very small living creatures that grow, live, and feed within your body. Parasites, such as round worms and hookworms, are common causes of Loffler syndrome. They move from one part of your body to another during the stages of their life. Lung problems occur when your body tries to fight these parasites when they are moving into your lungs.
  
  
• Medicines: Loffler syndrome may happen as an allergic-like reaction to some medicines that you have used for weeks or months. These may include medicines used to treat pain, seizures, heart problems, or infections. It may also occur with the use of street drugs, such as heroin or cocaine.
  
  
• Unknown: Sometimes there is no clear cause for getting this condition.

What are the signs and symptoms of eosinophilic pneumonia?

You may have any of the following:

• Chest pain.
  
  
• Cough, which may or may not have phlegm (sputum). The phlegm may have blood in it.
  
  
• Generally not feeling well.
  
  
• Fast rate of breathing.
  
  
• Fever.
  
  
• Trouble breathing, such as wheezing (high pitched sound when breathing) or shortness of breath.

How is simple eosinophilic pneumonia diagnosed?

Your caregiver will ask you about your medical, travel, and drug history. He will ask about any medicines you had taken or are presently taking. He will also do a physical exam on you. You may need one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Bronchoscopy: This is a procedure to look inside your airway and learn the cause of your airway or lung condition. A bronchoscope (thin tube with a light) is inserted into your mouth and moved down your throat to your airway. You may be given medicine to numb your throat and help you relax during the procedure. Tissue and fluid may be collected from your airway or lungs to be tested.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs. This may help show signs of infection and how well your lungs are working.
  
  
• Sputum sample: Sputum (mucus from your lungs) is collected in a cup when you cough. The sample is sent to a lab to be tested for the germ that is causing your illness. It can also help your caregiver choose the best medicine to treat the infection.
  
  
• Stool test: This is a test where a sample of your stool is examined to see if you have parasites.

How is simple eosinophilic pneumonia treated?

Treatment will depend on the cause of your condition. It may go away on its own within a few weeks. You may be given steroid medicine. You may need medicines, such as antibiotics, to treat infections caused by parasites. If you are using medicines that may have caused your condition, they may need to be stopped.

What can I do to help prevent or manage the symptoms of pneumonia?

• Do not smoke: Smoking causes lung cancer and other long-term lung diseases. It increases your risk of many cancer types. Smoking also increases your risk of blood vessel disease, heart attack, and vision disorders. Not smoking may help prevent such symptoms as headaches and dizziness for yourself and those around you. Smokers have shorter lifespans than nonsmokers.
  
  
• Vaccines: To prevent influenza (flu), all adults should get the influenza vaccine. They should get it every year as soon as it becomes available. The pneumococcal vaccine is given to adults aged 65 years or older to prevent pneumococcal disease, such as pneumonia. People aged 19 to 64 years at high risk for pneumococcal disease also should get the pneumococcal vaccine. It may need to be repeated 5 years later.

Where can I get more information?

• CDC Parasitic Diseases
  Office of Health Communication
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 404 - 639-3534
  Phone: 1- 800 - 311-3435
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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