Silicosis history and symptoms

Because silicosis is progressive, signs of it may not appear until years after exposure. Symptoms include:

• Tachypnea or shortness of breath after physical exertion
• Dry or severe cough, often persistent and accompanied by hoarseness of the throat
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Changes in breathing pattern (rapid breathing or shallow breathing)
• Loss of appetite
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Gradual dark shallow rifts in nails eventually leading to cracks

In advanced cases, the following may also occur:

• Cyanosis
• Cor pulmonale
• Respiratory insufficiency

Patients with silicosis are particularly susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) infection – known as silicotuberculosis. Mycobacterial infection, particularly tuberculosis (TB), is a long recognized and well-established complication of silicosis and should always be suspected when a patient with silicosis develops

• Constitutional symptoms such as fever, cough, weight loss
• Worsening respiratory impairment,
• Hemoptysis

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