Vapors, such as those given off by solvents, usually irritate the nose and throat first, before they affect the lungs. Viral infections and allergies produce similar symptoms. You should become suspicious of a work-related illness if you often feel like your nose and throat are irritated and breathing problems seem to occur when you are at work. Breathing in substances at work can also cause you to have bronchitis, a flu-like illness, asthma and emphysema. A person with bronchitis has a persistent cough that produces mucus or sputum and lasts at least 3 months a year.
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of bronchitis, but workplace toxins can also play a role.
Frequent episodes of flu-like illness may be caused by substances you breathe in your workplace. If you notice that you often have what seems to be the flu, your illness may be caused by something you are exposed to at work. There are different work-related lung diseases that can make you feel as though you have the flu. Metal fume fever is another occupational lung disease that can produce flu-like symptoms. It occurs from inhalation of metal vapors such as in welding and other metallic operations.