Signs andsymptoms

The symptoms of silicosis usually take many years to develop and you may not notice any problems until after you've stopped working with silica dust. The symptomscan also continue to get worse, even if you're no longer exposed.

In most cases, exposure for at least 10-20 years is required to cause the condition, although in a few cases it can develop after 5-10 years ofexposure or, in rare cases, after only a few months of very heavy exposure.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of silicosis are:

  • a persistent Cough
  • persistent shortness of breath
  • weakness and tiredness

If the condition continues to get worse, these symptoms may become more severe. Some people may eventually find simple activities such as walking or climbing stairs very difficult and may be largely confined to their house or bed.

The condition can ultimately be fatal if the lungs stop working properly (respiratory failure) or serious complications develop (see below), but this is rare in the UK.

Further problems

Silicosis can also increaseyour risk of other serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, including:

  • tuberculosis (TB) and other chest infections
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • heart failure
  • arthritis
  • kidney disease
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • lung cancer

The links abovewill take you to more information on these conditions, including their treatment.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018