J67.6: Maple-bark-stripper lung

Maple-bark-stripper's lung, also known as Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, is a lung disease that develops after prolonged exposure to dust from mouldy maple bark. This disease typically affects individuals who are regularly exposed to these conditions, such as workers who strip bark from maple trees. The mouldy dust inhaled triggers an immune response in the lungs which causes inflammation and can lead to lung damage over time. Early symptoms often resemble a prolonged flu, with fatigue, fever, and chills. Eventually, this may escalate to more severe respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite. The disease progression varies from person to person, but in severe cases, it may lead to irreversible lung problems and respiratory failure. The condition can be identified through medical imaging like x-rays or CT scans which may show abnormal patterns in the lung tissues.