Occupational Asthma: You'll Never Guess Who's at Risk

Who would've thought that veterinarians have one of the highest risks for occupational asthma? This, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, is a direct result of long term exposure to animal proteins, powdered medications, powder proteins from latex gloves and various other substances.

While it can take months, even years of exposure before symptoms of occupational asthma arise, the most common are wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing and poor exercise tolerance.

Asthma is not COPD, but a chronic, inflammatory lung disease. One thing that asthma has in common with COPD is, that it can also be deadly. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimate that 4,000 people die every year from asthma and it is also a contributing factor in another 7,000 deaths. Read more on the subject of occupational asthma and how veternarians are affected by it.

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