pneumonitis

noun

pneu·​mo·​ni·​tis ˌnü-mə-ˈnī-təs 

ˌnyü-

: acute or chronic inflammation of the lungs that is characterized especially by cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and fever, and may result in the development of fibrotic scar tissue when chronic or untreated

Note: While pneumonitis and pneumonia are often used synonymously, pneumonitis is typically used when the cause is a noninfectious agent (such as a chemical or radiation).

The fungus caused an outbreak of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs triggered by an allergic reaction.

—Faye Rice

Examples of pneumonitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, can be spread by air-cooling systems contaminated by bacteria, and dirty AC can also lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an allergic reaction to irritants like bacteria and fungi that leads to lung inflammation. —Jamie Ducharme, Time, 7 July 2023

But for those repeatedly exposed to airborne particles for long periods of time, the immune system can sometimes mount an attack that results in an inflammatory pneumonia, known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis or extrinsic allergic alveolitis, characterized by coughing and shortness of breath. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2013

Cheese worker's hypersensitivity pneumonitis. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2013

These include: Fatigue Nausea Loss of appetite Other serious side effects may include male infertility, low blood cell counts, kidney problems, skin irritation, and pneumonitis. —Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2023

Trombone player's lung: a probable new cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2013

And nearly one in five developed a potentially fatal lung condition known as noninfectious pneumonitis — the condition Preston-Martin developed. —John Fauber and Coulter Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2021

She was diagnosed with pneumonitis, was taken off the drug and treated to clear up the condition. —John Fauber and Coulter Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2021

Those numbers compare with more than 41,000 people without Down syndrome who died, but just 20% died from the coronavirus, 14% from pneumonia or pneumonitis and 65% died of other causes. —Shelby Lin Erdman and Katia Hetter, CNN, 23 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pneumōn

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pneumonitis

noun

pneu·​mo·​ni·​tis ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈnīt-əs 

plural pneumonitides -ˈnit-ə-ˌdēz 

: acute or chronic inflammation of the lungs that is characterized especially by cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and fever, and may result in the development of fibrotic scar tissue when chronic or untreated

Note: While pneumonitis and pneumonia are often used synonymously, pneumonitis is typically used when the source is a noninfectious agent.

… mold in damp indoor environments is associated with upper respiratory (nasal and throat) tract symptoms, cough, hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible people, wheeze, and asthma symptoms …

—Michele Melton, The Forsyth County News (Cumming, Georgia)

In one incident this year, a worker was treated for chemical pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs caused by chemical exposure.

—Annette Cary, The Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington)

… studies have suggested that one such condition—radiation-induced pneumonitis—may occur in up to 15 percent of patients receiving radiation therapy for lung cancer.

—John George, The Philadelphia Business Journal