Farmer's Lung is an allergy caused by dust from moldy hay, straw and grain. Anyone who is allergic to hay mold spores and who breathes air filled with these mold spores can get Farmer's Lung. Symptoms usually occur four to six hours after being exposed to hay mold spores. The allergic reaction can either be acute or chronic. Acute attacks resemble the flu or pneumonia and, in extreme cases, the victim may go into shock.
Chronic reactions resemble nagging chest colds.
But by the time the person receives treatment, permanent damage is already done. People with Farmer's Lung who do not avoid hay mold may get sicker and sicker until they are no longer able to do hard work and, after many years, may be unable to be active at all. People can die from Farmer's Lung. Permanent lung damage is only prevented by eliminating the exposure to mold dusts. If you think you have Farmer's Lung, see your physician.