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As a result of surfactant accumulation, gas exchange in the lung is impaired and patients may start to experience shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance.
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At first, shortness of breath typically occurs upon exertion, but as the disease progresses, it can occur even when a person is at rest. Some patients experience significantly reduced exercise capacity that can dramatically impact the simplest of daily activities, e.g., becoming winded simply walking up a flight of stairs.
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Patients may experience cough and episodes of fever—especially if secondary lung infection develops.
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In the long-term, the disease can lead to serious complications, including lung fibrosis and the need for lung transplant.