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Smoking Cessation in CAP — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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Hard"Respiratory Medicine"Smoking Cessation in CAPSCE Respiratory

A welder develops fever, myalgia, metallic taste and dry cough six hours after welding galvanised steel without respiratory protection. Chest radiograph and oxygen saturation are normal, and symptoms resolve within 24 hours. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: E — Metal-fume fever from zinc oxide

Metal-fume fever is a self-limiting influenza-like illness several hours after inhalation of freshly generated metal oxides, classically zinc oxide from galvanised steel. Normal imaging and rapid recovery help distinguish it from chemical pneumonitis or infection; prevention requires effective exposure control and respiratory protection.

Reference: Clinical review of metal-fume fever (Published 2020): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7010610/; HSE control guidance for respirable crystalline silica (Current HSE guidance, accessed 30 July 2026): https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cn6.pdf