Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pleurisy might include:

• Chest pain that worsens when you breathe, cough or sneeze
• Shortness of breath — because you are trying to minimize breathing in and out
• A cough — only in some cases
• A fever — only in some cases

Pain caused by pleurisy might worsen with movement of your upper body and can radiate to your shoulders or back.

Pleurisy can be accompanied by pleural effusion, atelectasis or empyema:

• Pleural effusion. In some cases of pleurisy, fluid builds up in the small space between the two layers of tissue. This is called pleural effusion. When there is a fair amount of fluid, pleuritic pain lessens or disappears because the two layers of pleura are no longer in contact and don't rub together.
• Atelectasis. A large amount of fluid in the pleural space can create pressure, compressing your lung to the point that it partially or completely collapses (atelectasis). This makes breathing difficult and might cause coughing.
• Empyema. The extra fluid can also become infected, resulting in an accumulation of pus. This is called an empyema. An empyema is often accompanied by fever.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor right away if you experience unexplained, intense chest pain during breathing. You might have a problem with your lungs, heart or pleura or an underlying illness for which you need prompt medical care.