pneumonitis

pneu·mo·ni·tis | \ ˌnü-mə-ˈnī-təs

, ˌnyü- \

Definition of pneumonitis

: 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 The most common side effects in people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include cough, feeling tired, inflammation in the lungs (pneumonitis), upper respiratory tract infections, shortness of breath, and rash. — Astrazeneca, USA TODAY, "Tapping into the immune system shows promise in stage 3 lung cancer," 3 June 2019 She was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis with fibrosis in 2004 and enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. — Caroline Lester, The New Yorker, "The Continuing Legacy of 9/11," 11 Sep. 2019 On Wednesday, the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) released a statement warning residents that 16 people had recently been hospitalized after developing chemical pneumonia (aka, chemical pneumonitis) as a result of vaping. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "How Can You Get Chemical Pneumonia From Vaping? Pulmonologists Explain," 29 Aug. 2019 The acute disease appears to be taking the form of lipoid pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and/or chemical pneumonitis. — Michael Siegel, National Review, "CDC’s Bias Against E-Cigarettes Is Putting Kids’ Lives at Risk," 27 Aug. 2019 But there are literature reports of hypersensitivity pneumonitis from vaping. — Fox News, "Teen hospitalized with vape-related health scare: ‘Machines were keeping Tryston alive’," 22 Aug. 2019 She was diagnosed with wet lung, formally called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammatory disease sparked by the immune system after inhaling toxins. — Josh Hafner, USA TODAY, "Teen gets 'wet lung' after vaping for three weeks, prompting doctors to issue warning," 21 May 2018 Kessler, who turned 70 this year, skipped last year's race after being diagnosed with an interstitial lung disease called chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. — Beth Bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "Lung disease leaves this 70-year-old breathless, but it won’t keep her out of the Gold Nugget Triathlon," 19 May 2018 An 18-year-old woman was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, also known as wet lung, a few weeks after taking up vaping. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "Juul, the vape device teens are getting hooked on, explained," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pneumonitis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

15 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Pneumonitis.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumonitis. Accessed 26 January 2020.

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More Definitions for pneumonitis

pneumonitis

noun

pneu·mo·ni·tis | \ ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈnīt-əs

plural pneumonitides\ -ˈnit-ə-ˌdēz

Medical Definition of pneumonitis

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), 14 July 2013 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), 30 Oct. 2014 … 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, 1 Oct. 2014