Bronchiolitis Obliterans: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Bronchiolitis obliterans usually causes a dry cough and shortness of breath, especially on exertion, two to eight weeks after toxic fume exposure or a respiratory illness. It may be several months or years until it presents itself after a transplant.

Fatigue and wheezing in the absence of a cold or asthma are other symptoms of this interstitial lung disease.

Imaging tests and pulmonary function tests can help detect bronchiolitis obliterans. A lung biopsy, however, is the only definitive way to diagnose the disease.