Pleurisy, also called pleuritis, is inflammation of the thin membranes that surround the lungs and line the inside of the chest. The condition can cause a characteristic sharp or stabbing chest pain that becomes more noticeable when a person takes a deep breath, coughs, sneezes, or moves.

Pleurisy is not a single disease with one specific cause. Instead, it is usually a sign of another medical condition affecting the lungs, pleura, immune system, blood vessels, or other parts of the body.

In some people, pleurisy develops because of a relatively mild viral infection and gradually improves. In other situations, pleuritic chest pain can be associated with serious conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, or cancer.

Because several potentially serious conditions can produce similar chest pain, it is important not to assume that every sharp chest pain is simply pleurisy. Proper medical evaluation is often necessary to determine the underlying cause.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational purposes. It does not replace examination, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Anyone experiencing new, severe, or unexplained chest pain should seek appropriate medical attention.

What Is Pleurisy?

Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, the specialized membranes surrounding the lungs.

Each lung is covered by a thin layer called the visceral pleura. Another layer, known as the parietal pleura, lines the inside of the chest wall.

Between these two layers is a very small space called the pleural cavity. Normally, this space contains a small amount of lubricating fluid.

The fluid allows the two pleural surfaces to slide smoothly over one another as the lungs expand and contract during breathing.

When the pleura become inflamed, the normally smooth surfaces can become irritated. The movement associated with breathing may then produce pain.

This explains why pleuritic pain is often worse during deep breathing and coughing.

Understanding the Anatomy of the Pleura

The pleura are an important part of normal respiratory function.

The visceral pleura closely covers the surface of the lungs. The parietal pleura lines the inner chest wall, diaphragm, and certain structures in the middle of the chest.

The space between them is normally extremely thin.

The pleura help the lungs remain closely associated with the chest wall while still allowing them to move freely during breathing.

The parietal pleura contains sensory nerves that are capable of transmitting pain. This is one reason inflammation involving the parietal pleura can produce significant, localized chest pain.

What Happens During Pleurisy?

When inflammation affects the pleura, the normal smooth movement between the pleural surfaces becomes uncomfortable.

During inspiration, the lungs expand. During expiration, they contract.

If the pleural surfaces are inflamed, these movements can irritate the sensitive tissues.

The result may be sharp pain with breathing, especially when taking a deep breath.

People may unconsciously take shallow breaths to reduce discomfort.

The underlying disease can create additional symptoms. For example, pneumonia may cause fever and cough, while pulmonary embolism may cause sudden breathlessness and a rapid heartbeat.

This is why identifying the cause of pleurisy is more important than simply treating the pain.

Types of Pleurisy

Pleurisy can be described in different ways depending on its cause, duration, and associated findings.

Infectious Pleurisy

Infectious pleurisy occurs when an infection causes inflammation involving the pleura.

Viral infections are common causes, but bacterial infections and tuberculosis can also affect the pleura.

Noninfectious Pleurisy

Noninfectious pleurisy can result from autoimmune disease, blood clots, cancer, chest injuries, medication reactions, and other inflammatory conditions.

Dry Pleurisy

The term dry pleurisy is sometimes used when pleural inflammation causes pain without a significant amount of excess fluid accumulating around the lung.

Pleurisy With Pleural Effusion

Pleurisy may occur together with a pleural effusion, which means excess fluid has accumulated in the pleural space.

The presence of fluid can sometimes change the nature of the pain.

What Causes Pleurisy?

There are many possible causes of pleurisy.

The cause can sometimes be identified quickly, while in other cases several investigations are required.

Viral Infections

Viral infections are a relatively common cause of pleural inflammation.

Respiratory viruses can sometimes irritate the pleura and cause sharp chest pain.

The person may also have cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, nasal symptoms, or body aches.

When the viral illness improves, the pleural inflammation may gradually settle.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an important cause of pleuritic chest pain.

When infection affects lung tissue close to the pleural surface, inflammation can extend to the pleura.

Symptoms may include fever, productive cough, chest pain, chills, weakness, and shortness of breath.

In some cases, pneumonia can cause fluid to collect around the lung.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis can involve the pleura and cause tuberculous pleurisy.

Tuberculosis may produce a pleural effusion as well as chest discomfort.

Possible symptoms include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, fatigue, reduced appetite, and unexplained weight loss.

The possibility of tuberculosis depends on exposure history, geographical prevalence, previous infection, immune status, and clinical findings.

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery.

Pleuritic chest pain is a possible symptom.

A pulmonary embolism may also cause sudden shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or coughing up blood.

Because pulmonary embolism can be life threatening, sudden unexplained pleuritic chest pain requires urgent assessment.

Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax, often called a collapsed lung, occurs when air enters the pleural space.

It can cause sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.

A small pneumothorax may sometimes be managed conservatively, while a larger or tension pneumothorax can require emergency treatment.

Autoimmune Diseases

Certain autoimmune diseases can cause pleural inflammation.

Examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other connective tissue diseases.

In these conditions, the immune system becomes abnormally active against the body’s own tissues.

Treatment focuses on controlling the underlying inflammatory disease.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer and cancers involving the pleura can cause chest pain.

Cancer may also produce a pleural effusion.

Persistent chest pain, unexplained weight loss, ongoing cough, coughing up blood, or recurrent pleural fluid requires appropriate investigation.

Metastatic Cancer

Cancer originating elsewhere in the body can sometimes spread to the pleura.

This is known as pleural metastasis.

Examples of cancers that may involve the pleura include certain breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, and other cancers.

Chest Trauma

A chest injury can irritate the pleura.

Rib fractures, blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, or complications from medical procedures can sometimes produce pleuritic pain.

A chest injury can also result in conditions such as pneumothorax or hemothorax.

Pulmonary Infarction

A blockage in a pulmonary blood vessel can occasionally result in an area of lung tissue becoming damaged because of inadequate blood supply.

This can cause inflammation close to the pleura and produce pleuritic pain.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas can occasionally be associated with pleural effusion and chest symptoms.

The connection between abdominal inflammation and pleural disease demonstrates why the cause of pleural symptoms may sometimes be outside the lungs themselves.

Sickle Cell Disease

People with sickle cell disease can develop chest complications that may cause chest pain and breathing problems.

Acute chest syndrome is a particularly serious complication requiring urgent medical treatment.

Certain Medications

Some medicines have been associated with pleural inflammation or pleural effusions.

When medication related pleurisy is suspected, a doctor may review all prescribed medicines, over the counter medicines, and supplements.

Other Causes

Other possible causes include certain fungal infections, parasitic infections, inflammatory conditions, complications following surgery, and other uncommon disorders.

Sometimes doctors are unable to identify a definite cause despite appropriate testing.

Symptoms of Pleurisy

The symptoms depend on the cause and severity of the inflammation.

The classic symptom is sharp chest pain that changes with breathing.

Other symptoms may include cough, shortness of breath, fever, rapid breathing, fatigue, chills, and pain that spreads to the shoulder or back.

Sharp Chest Pain

The most characteristic symptom is pleuritic chest pain.

Patients may describe the pain as sharp, stabbing, burning, or cutting.

It may be felt on one side of the chest.

Pain With Deep Breathing

Deep inspiration can stretch the inflamed pleural surfaces.

As a result, pain may become worse when taking a deep breath.

Pain With Coughing

Coughing can intensify pleuritic pain because coughing causes rapid movement of the chest and lungs.

Pain With Sneezing

Sneezing produces a sudden increase in pressure and movement inside the chest.

This can make pleuritic pain considerably worse.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath may occur because deep breathing is painful.

However, breathlessness can also be caused directly by the underlying disease, such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.

Dry Cough

A dry cough can occur with pleural irritation.

If a person produces large amounts of sputum, the underlying cause may include pneumonia or another respiratory infection.

Fever and Chills

Fever and chills are more suggestive of an infectious or inflammatory cause.

Fatigue

Persistent inflammation and the underlying illness can cause significant fatigue and weakness.

Shoulder Pain

Some forms of pleural irritation can cause pain that is felt in the shoulder.

This is called referred pain.

Back Pain

Pleuritic pain may sometimes extend toward the upper back.

What Does Pleurisy Pain Feel Like?

Pleurisy pain is often described as sharp, stabbing, or piercing.

The pain may be located on one side of the chest and may become stronger with deep breathing.

Some people notice that sitting still or taking shallow breaths reduces the discomfort.

However, the exact experience varies.

Chest pain from the heart, lungs, muscles, ribs, digestive system, and other structures can overlap.

Therefore, the description of pain alone cannot establish the diagnosis.

Pleurisy and Breathing

Breathing is one of the most important clues in pleuritic pain.

When pain increases specifically with inspiration, the pain is described as pleuritic.

However, pleuritic pain is not synonymous with harmless pain.

Serious diseases, particularly pulmonary embolism and pneumothorax, can also produce pain that worsens with breathing.

Pleurisy and Pleural Effusion

A pleural effusion occurs when excessive fluid collects between the pleural layers.

Many conditions can cause pleural effusion.

These include pneumonia, tuberculosis, heart failure, cancer, autoimmune diseases, kidney disease, liver disease, and pulmonary embolism.

A small effusion may cause few symptoms.

A larger effusion can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath, chest heaviness, cough, and reduced exercise tolerance.

Types of Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusions can be broadly classified as transudative or exudative.

A transudative effusion generally develops because of changes in pressure or protein levels within the circulation.

Common causes include heart failure and certain systemic disorders.

An exudative effusion is usually caused by inflammation, infection, cancer, or another process affecting the pleura or nearby tissues.

Doctors may analyze pleural fluid to determine the type and cause.

How Is Pleurisy Diagnosed?

Diagnosing pleurisy involves identifying the characteristic symptoms and, more importantly, determining what is causing the pleural inflammation.

Medical History

The doctor may ask about the location of the pain, when it started, whether breathing affects it, recent infections, fever, cough, travel, immobilization, surgery, injuries, medications, smoking, cancer history, autoimmune disease, and tuberculosis exposure.

Physical Examination

A doctor may listen to the lungs with a stethoscope.

Inflamed pleural surfaces can sometimes produce a pleural friction rub, a distinctive scratching or grating sound.

However, the absence of this sound does not rule out pleurisy.

Chest X Ray

A chest X ray can help identify pneumonia, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or other abnormalities.

Chest Ultrasound

Ultrasound is particularly useful for detecting pleural fluid.

It can also assist doctors when fluid needs to be sampled or drained.

CT Scan

A CT scan of the chest provides detailed images of the lungs, pleura, blood vessels, and surrounding structures.

It can help identify pneumonia, tumors, pleural disease, pneumothorax, and other causes.

CT Pulmonary Angiography

When a pulmonary embolism is suspected, doctors may use CT pulmonary angiography to examine the pulmonary arteries.

Blood Tests

Blood tests may provide evidence of infection or inflammation.

Additional tests may be ordered depending on the suspected cause.

Electrocardiogram

An ECG may be performed because several heart conditions can cause chest pain that may initially resemble pleurisy.

Troponin Testing

When a cardiac cause is suspected, doctors may measure troponin, a blood marker associated with injury to heart muscle.

Oxygen Saturation

A pulse oximeter can measure blood oxygen saturation.

Reduced oxygen may indicate significant respiratory or cardiovascular disease.

D Dimer Testing

In selected patients with possible pulmonary embolism, a D dimer blood test may help determine whether further testing is necessary.

It is not appropriate as a standalone test for every patient with chest pain.

Thoracentesis

If a pleural effusion is present, doctors may perform thoracentesis.

A needle is used to remove fluid from the pleural space.

The fluid can be examined for infection, cancer, inflammation, and other causes.

How Is Pleurisy Treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

There is no universal medicine for pleurisy.

Pain Management

Appropriate pain relief can make breathing more comfortable.

Doctors may recommend medicines such as nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs when they are safe and appropriate.

Some people cannot safely take these medicines because of kidney disease, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, heart conditions, pregnancy, allergies, or interactions with other medicines.

Medical advice is therefore important.

Antibiotics

If bacterial infection is responsible, antibiotics may be required.

The choice depends on the infection, severity, patient factors, and local medical guidance.

Antibiotics do not treat viral infections.

Tuberculosis Treatment

Pleurisy caused by tuberculosis requires a specific combination of anti tuberculosis medicines.

Treatment must be supervised by an appropriate healthcare team.

Anticoagulants

When pleurisy is associated with pulmonary embolism, anticoagulant treatment is commonly required.

These medicines reduce the ability of blood to form additional clots.

Treatment of Autoimmune Disease

When autoimmune inflammation causes pleurisy, treatment may involve medicines that control the abnormal immune response.

The exact treatment depends on the underlying autoimmune disease.

Cancer Treatment

When cancer causes pleural inflammation or effusion, treatment may include cancer specific therapy.

Depending on the situation, doctors may use chemotherapy, targeted treatment, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or procedures to control recurrent pleural fluid.

Drainage of Pleural Fluid

A significant or infected pleural effusion may require drainage.

If pus collects in the pleural space, the condition is called empyema and generally requires prompt treatment.

Chest Tube

A chest tube may be inserted to remove air, fluid, blood, or infected material from the pleural space.

The need depends on the underlying condition.

What Is Empyema?

Empyema occurs when infected fluid or pus accumulates in the pleural space.

It commonly develops as a complication of pneumonia but can have other causes.

Symptoms may include fever, chest pain, cough, breathlessness, and severe illness.

Empyema usually requires antibiotics and drainage of the infected fluid.

Pleurisy and Pneumonia

Pleurisy and pneumonia are closely related but are not the same condition.

Pneumonia affects lung tissue, while pleurisy affects the pleural membranes.

Pneumonia can cause pleurisy when inflammation reaches the pleural surface.

A patient may therefore experience fever, cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and sharp chest pain simultaneously.

Pleurisy and Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism is an important emergency cause of pleuritic chest pain.

The pain may develop suddenly and may be accompanied by shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or coughing up blood.

Risk factors can include recent surgery, prolonged immobility, certain cancers, previous blood clots, pregnancy, and some inherited or acquired clotting disorders.

Not everyone with pulmonary embolism has obvious risk factors.

Pleurisy and Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space and causes part or all of the lung to collapse.

Symptoms can include sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.

A tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency because pressure can build inside the chest and interfere with circulation and breathing.

Pleurisy and Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an important cause of pleural disease in areas where TB is common.

Tuberculous pleurisy may occur with a pleural effusion.

Symptoms can include fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, cough, and chest pain.

Diagnosis may require several tests, including imaging and analysis of pleural fluid or tissue.

Pleurisy and Cancer

Cancer can affect the pleura directly or spread to it from another organ.

A malignant pleural effusion occurs when cancer is associated with fluid accumulation around the lung.

Persistent or recurrent pleural effusion may require detailed investigation.

Pleurisy and Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune conditions can cause inflammation in several body tissues, including the pleura.

Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are examples.

The patient may have other symptoms of autoimmune disease, such as joint pain, skin changes, fatigue, or inflammation affecting other organs.

Pleurisy and Heart Disease

Some heart conditions can produce chest symptoms that may be confused with pleurisy.

Heart failure can cause pleural effusions.

Other cardiac conditions can cause chest pain for completely different reasons.

Because of this overlap, doctors may use an ECG, blood tests, imaging, and other investigations when evaluating chest pain.

Pleurisy During Pregnancy

Chest pain during pregnancy should be evaluated carefully.

Pregnancy can increase the risk of venous blood clots and pulmonary embolism.

Pregnant patients with sudden chest pain, significant breathlessness, coughing up blood, fainting, or rapid deterioration should receive urgent medical evaluation.

Doctors can choose diagnostic procedures and treatments appropriate for pregnancy.

Pleurisy in Children

Children can develop pleuritic chest pain, particularly during respiratory infections.

However, chest pain in children can have many causes.

A child should receive prompt medical assessment if chest pain is severe, breathing is difficult, the child becomes unusually sleepy, lips appear blue or gray, or symptoms worsen rapidly.

Pleurisy in Older Adults

Older adults may develop less obvious symptoms from infections and other serious illnesses.

They may not always have a high fever.

New chest pain, unexplained weakness, confusion, shortness of breath, or sudden decline in function should be taken seriously.

How Long Does Pleurisy Last?

The duration varies considerably.

Pleurisy caused by a mild viral infection may improve over several days or weeks.

Pleurisy associated with pneumonia may improve as the infection is treated.

Pleurisy caused by tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, cancer, or another chronic condition may persist until the underlying illness is controlled.

Persistent symptoms require reassessment.

Can Pleurisy Come Back?

Yes.

Recurrent pleurisy can occur if the underlying cause returns or remains active.

People with autoimmune diseases may experience repeated episodes.

Recurrent pleurisy should be investigated to determine whether an underlying condition has been missed.

Can Pleurisy Cause Permanent Damage?

Pleurisy itself does not always cause permanent lung damage.

However, certain underlying diseases can.

Severe infection, empyema, tuberculosis, cancer, or prolonged inflammation can sometimes lead to pleural thickening, scarring, adhesions, or restricted lung expansion.

What Is Pleural Thickening?

Pleural thickening means that the pleural tissue has become thicker than normal.

It can develop after infection, inflammation, tuberculosis, asbestos exposure, surgery, trauma, or other conditions.

Mild pleural thickening may have little effect on breathing.

More extensive thickening can restrict lung expansion.

What Are Pleural Adhesions?

Inflammation can cause the pleural surfaces to become attached to one another.

These attachments are called pleural adhesions.

They can develop after infection, surgery, bleeding, or other pleural disease.

Complications of Pleurisy

The complications depend on the cause.

Possible complications include pleural effusion, empyema, pneumothorax, pleural thickening, pleural adhesions, restricted lung expansion, respiratory failure, recurrent infection, and complications of the underlying disease.

Serious complications are more likely when pleurisy is associated with severe infection, cancer, pulmonary embolism, or major chest disease.

Is Pleurisy Contagious?

Pleurisy itself is not contagious.

However, the infection causing it may be contagious.

For example, certain respiratory viruses and tuberculosis can spread between people.

The appropriate precautions therefore depend on the underlying diagnosis.

Can You Exercise With Pleurisy?

Exercise should be adjusted according to the cause and severity of symptoms.

A person with active infection, significant chest pain, severe breathlessness, pulmonary embolism, or another serious condition should not exercise without medical guidance.

Once the underlying condition has improved and a healthcare professional considers exercise safe, activity can generally be increased gradually.

Can You Sleep With Pleurisy?

Pleuritic pain can make certain sleeping positions uncomfortable.

Some people find that changing position or sleeping slightly elevated makes breathing more comfortable.

However, persistent severe nighttime pain or worsening breathlessness should not simply be managed by changing sleeping position.

Diet and Pleurisy

There is no specific diet that cures pleurisy.

A balanced diet can support recovery and general health.

Adequate nutrition is particularly important when pleurisy occurs with an infection or chronic illness.

If someone has poor appetite, significant weight loss, or difficulty maintaining adequate nutrition, professional dietary advice may be useful.

Hydration and Pleurisy

Adequate fluid intake may be helpful during some respiratory infections by supporting normal hydration.

However, people with certain heart, kidney, or liver conditions may have fluid restrictions.

Hydration advice should therefore be individualized.

Smoking and Pleurisy

Smoking damages respiratory health and increases the risk of many lung diseases.

People recovering from pleurisy should avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.

Stopping smoking can improve overall lung health and reduce the risk of several conditions that can cause chest symptoms.

Prevention of Pleurisy

Because pleurisy has many possible causes, there is no single way to prevent every case.

However, several general measures can reduce the risk of some underlying conditions.

Keeping recommended vaccinations up to date can reduce the risk of certain respiratory infections.

Avoiding smoking protects lung health.

Good management of autoimmune disease can reduce inflammatory complications.

People at increased risk of blood clots should follow medical advice about movement, medication, and prevention.

Early treatment of respiratory infections may also reduce complications.

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should seek medical assessment for new or unexplained chest pain, especially when it changes with breathing.

You should also seek medical attention if chest pain occurs with persistent cough, fever, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, or significant weakness.

A history of recent surgery, prolonged immobility, cancer, tuberculosis exposure, or previous blood clots makes medical evaluation particularly important.

Emergency Warning Signs

Call for emergency medical assistance if you develop sudden severe chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, fainting, coughing up significant amounts of blood, blue or gray lips, confusion, or rapidly worsening symptoms.

These symptoms can indicate conditions such as pulmonary embolism, severe pneumonia, pneumothorax, or another medical emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pleurisy

Is pleurisy a lung disease?

Pleurisy is a condition involving the pleura surrounding the lungs. It can occur because of a lung disease or because of conditions affecting other parts of the body.

What is the most common symptom of pleurisy?

The classic symptom is sharp chest pain that becomes worse with deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing.

Is pleurisy painful?

Yes. Pleurisy can cause significant chest pain, particularly during breathing.

Can pleurisy cause back pain?

Yes. Pain can sometimes be felt in the upper back or shoulder because of referred pain.

Can pleurisy cause shortness of breath?

Yes. Pain can make deep breathing difficult, and the underlying cause may also produce breathlessness.

Can pleurisy cause fever?

Yes. Fever is particularly common when an infection is responsible.

Can pleurisy cause coughing?

Yes. A dry cough can accompany pleural irritation.

Can pleurisy heal completely?

Many cases improve completely when the underlying cause is successfully treated.

Does pleurisy always require antibiotics?

No. Antibiotics are useful for appropriate bacterial infections but do not treat viral pleurisy or noninfectious causes.

Can pleurisy be caused by tuberculosis?

Yes. Tuberculosis is an important cause of pleural inflammation, particularly in areas where TB is prevalent.

Can pleurisy cause fluid around the lungs?

Yes. Pleurisy can occur together with a pleural effusion.

Is pleurisy contagious?

No. Pleurisy itself is not contagious, although some underlying infections can spread.

Can stress cause pleurisy?

Stress can contribute to chest discomfort, but it should not be assumed to be the cause of new pleuritic chest pain without appropriate evaluation.

Can pleurisy be fatal?

Pleurisy itself is not usually the cause of death, but some conditions that cause pleuritic chest pain can be life threatening.

Can pleurisy return?

Yes. Recurrence can happen when the underlying cause persists or returns.

Pleurisy Versus Other Causes of Chest Pain

Chest pain can originate from many different structures.

Pleurisy generally produces pain that changes with breathing.

Heart related chest pain may have a different pattern and can be associated with pressure, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back.

Musculoskeletal chest pain may be reproduced by pressing on certain areas or moving specific muscles.

Acid reflux may cause burning discomfort behind the breastbone.

Pneumothorax can cause sudden chest pain and breathlessness.

Pulmonary embolism can cause sudden pleuritic pain and breathing difficulty.

Because symptoms can overlap, medical assessment is important when the cause is uncertain.

Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleural membranes surrounding the lungs and is best known for causing sharp chest pain that becomes worse with breathing.

Although some cases are mild and resolve as a viral infection improves, pleuritic chest pain can also be a warning sign of serious conditions such as pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pneumothorax, tuberculosis, cancer, or severe inflammatory disease.

For this reason, the most important part of managing pleurisy is identifying its underlying cause.

Diagnosis may involve a medical examination, chest X ray, ultrasound, CT scan, blood tests, ECG, oxygen measurement, and sometimes analysis of pleural fluid.

Treatment varies according to the cause and may include pain management, antibiotics, tuberculosis treatment, anticoagulants, immune modifying medicines, cancer treatment, or drainage of pleural fluid.

Most importantly, unexplained chest pain should never be ignored.

If chest pain is sudden or severe, or if it occurs with significant shortness of breath, fainting, coughing up blood, confusion, or blue or gray lips, urgent medical attention is necessary.

With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, many causes of pleurisy can be successfully managed.

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