lung and airway disorders
Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
Symptoms of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
When the alveoli are plugged, the transfer of oxygen to the blood from the lungs is severely impaired. Consequently, most people with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis experience shortness of breath when they exert themselves. Some people have severe difficulty breathing, even at rest. People often have severe disability due to inadequate lung function. Most people also have a cough that often does not produce sputum, but occasionally people expectorate chunky gelatinous material. Other symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Lung infections may occur, and infection can quickly worsen symptoms of shortness of breath and cause fever. 