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 an inflammation of the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs. There are many possible causes of pleurisy but viral infections spreading from the lungs to pleural cavity are the most common. Pleurisy can cause sharp pain when breathing, also called pleuritic chest pain.

See also

In Spanish: Pleuritis para niños