Pleurisy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pleurisy
Synonyms	Pleuritis, pleuritic chest pain
Figure A shows normal anatomy. Figure B shows lungs with pleurisy in the right lung and a pneumothorax of the left lung.
Symptoms	Sharp chest pain
Causes	Viral infection, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism
Diagnostic method	Chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests
Similar conditions	Pericarditis, heart attack, cholecystitis
Treatment	Based on the underlying cause
Medication	Paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen
Frequency	1 million cases per year (United States)

Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is a condition where the lining around your lungs becomes swollen and irritated. This special lining is called the pleura. It's like a smooth, slippery sac that helps your lungs glide easily inside your chest when you breathe. When the pleura gets inflamed, it can cause a sharp pain in your chest. This pain often feels worse when you take a deep breath, cough, or sneeze.

The most common reason for pleurisy is a viral infection that spreads from your lungs to the pleura. However, other things can also cause it.

What is Pleurisy?

Your lungs are covered by two layers of pleura. One layer sticks to the outside of your lungs. The other layer lines the inside of your chest wall. Between these two layers is a tiny space called the pleural cavity. This space usually has a small amount of fluid. This fluid helps the layers slide past each other smoothly, like oil in an engine.

When you have pleurisy, these layers become rough and rub against each other. This rubbing causes the sharp, stabbing pain you feel. It's a bit like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together instead of two smooth, wet surfaces.

Why Does Pleurisy Happen?

Pleurisy is usually a symptom of another health problem. It's not a disease on its own. The most common causes include:

• Viral infections: Viruses like the flu or common cold can sometimes spread to the pleura. This is the most frequent cause, especially in young people.
• Bacterial infections: Serious infections like pneumonia (a lung infection) can also lead to pleurisy.
• Blood clots: Sometimes, a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung) can cause pleurisy. This is less common but more serious.
• Other conditions: Less often, conditions like autoimmune diseases or injuries to the chest can cause pleurisy.

How Do You Know You Have Pleurisy?

The main symptom of pleurisy is a sharp chest pain. This pain often gets much worse when you:

• Take a deep breath
• Cough
• Sneeze
• Laugh
• Move your upper body

The pain might feel like a stabbing sensation. It usually gets better when you hold your breath or take shallow breaths. Sometimes, the pain can spread to your shoulder or back. You might also have other symptoms depending on what's causing the pleurisy. These can include a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

How Doctors Diagnose Pleurisy

If you have chest pain, it's important to see a doctor. They will ask about your symptoms and listen to your breathing. They might also do some tests to find out what's causing the pleurisy. These tests can include:

• Chest X-ray: This picture of your chest can show if you have pneumonia or other lung problems.
• Blood tests: These can help find signs of infection or inflammation in your body.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test checks your heart's electrical activity. It helps doctors make sure your chest pain isn't from a heart problem.

How is Pleurisy Treated?

Treating pleurisy means treating the problem that's causing it. For example:

• If a viral infection is the cause, your doctor might suggest rest and pain relief. Viruses usually go away on their own.
• If a bacterial infection like pneumonia is causing it, you might need antibiotics.
• If a blood clot is the problem, you will need special medicine to treat the clot.

To help with the pain, doctors often recommend medicines like Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) or ibuprofen. These can help reduce the pain and swelling. It's also important to rest and avoid activities that make the pain worse.

Pleurisy usually gets better once the underlying cause is treated. Most people recover fully without any lasting problems.

See also

In Spanish: Pleuritis para niños