J67.3: Suberosis

Suberosis is a type of hypersensitivity lung disease, commonly known as extrinsic allergic alveolitis. It is specifically triggered by inhalation of microscopic spores from moldy cork dust. The condition is named after the cork oak tree, Quercus suber, from which cork is commonly made. Workers involved in the cork industry are particularly prone to this medical condition. Common symptoms often include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and a general feeling of ill health. These symptoms might appear hours after exposure and can often be mistaken for flu-like symptoms. If exposure to the agent is continuous, there is a risk that the disease may progress from an acute to a chronic state, which can result in permanent lung damage, specifically in the form of fibrosis or scarring in the lungs. These changes can be severe, affecting the respiratory system profoundly.