RESUMO
The reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS) is a type of occupational asthma without any period of latency and induced by irritants of low molecular weight. It is a clinical illness diagnosed with scarce information of prevalence in our medical service, that is why it receives a deficient treatment with more morbidity. A clinical case of a 60 year old patient is reported with a sudden, intense and long exposure to clorhidric acid and the consequent development of RADS. We performed a complete study of her signs and symptoms as well as some diagnostic tests, such as respiratory function tests and a positive test to the clorhidric acid. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient was treated with high doses of corticosteroids and bronchodilators of long action for a period of three months. She had complete remission of symptoms, with normal respiratory tests and return to her every day work activities. It is important to consider that this illness in patients with respiratory symptoms and exposed to irritants should receive an appropriate treatment, which makes a better prognosis of it.