Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hi there, I have gone downhill since before  2008. The consultant advised me it was the bird feathers on my elderly parakeet that caused scarring of the lungs. (re-occurrent chest infections) New consultant, 2012, does not agree with allergy and thinks it is something else. I have just recovered from pneumonia (hospitalised) and tamiflu, they found this in one of my lungs, after bronchoscopy to find cause of inflammation in the lungs. I was too ill for them to do biopsy, but they performed washings...that is how they came across the flu virus. Have taken the emergency meds for that now and hopefully on the road to recovery. I have fostair steroid inhaler and ventolin inhalers and doxycline for a month. I have a consultant appointment in early May. I do trust my consultant and he wants the answer to what is attacking my lungs as much as me. I hate inhalers though, especially the steroid one, as have osteroporosis...on a natural diet and exercise programme for this.   Any advice you can give me?
[|AI|]  Hello, Welcome to Chat Doctor. I am not certain what the diagnosis is at this stage: possibilities (1) central bronchiectasis, with asthma and aspergillus sensitivity (not certain if this test was done) is APA (Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergilli); (2) or depending on the nature of your work, or the number of avian species at home it is hypersensitivity pneumonitis. You need the following tests:1. HRCT Chest2. Precipitins3. Or Aspergillus IgG4. Total IGE levels5. Skin prick test to aspergillus species6. Pulmonary function tests must get these tests done when you are well from this recent infection. A combination of steroids and antifungals could be tried if it is hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Best Wishes.