Farmer's Lung is a disease caused by breathing in spores from mouldy hay. It affects people who work with hay a lot; over time, certain people can become allergic to the mould in hay. The symptoms are serious, and once the allergic reaction begins, the person will always have the potential for symptoms with hay mould exposure.

Farmer's lung is caused by being exposed to hay mould spores, especially in a close space without good ventilation - such as a barn in the winter. It is not the hay itself that makes people sick- it's the mould that grows in baled hay that causes farmer's lung.

After working with mouldy hay for several months or years, depending on the individual, the worker may begin to notice the following symptoms 4-6 hours after being exposed to the hay mould spores:

• increased coughing and bringing up more mucus (phlegm) than usual
• fever and sometimes chills
• feeling short of breath
• discomfort in the lungs, a tightness and/or pains in the chest.

The symptoms of farmer's lung are similar to those of other lung diseases. If you have these symptoms, or if you think you have farmer's lung, see you doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Anyone who is allergic to the hay mould spores and breathes air filled with hay mould spores.

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The main treatment is to stay totally away from hay mould spores. Medication may help your symptoms, but you can't completely get rid of your symptoms if you still spend time near mouldy hay.

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