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Pleurisy - Symptom

Alternative Names

Pleuritis; Pleuritic chest pain

Symptoms:

The main symptom of pleurisy is pain in the chest. Some people feel the pain in the shoulder.

Deep breathing, coughing, and chest movement makes the pain worse.

Pleurisy can cause fluid to collect inside the chest cavity. This can make breathing difficult and may cause the following symptoms:

Coughing
Cyanosis
Shortness of breath
Rapid breathing (tachypnea)

Signs and tests:

The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs for abnormal sounds.

The health care provider may perform the following tests:

Respiratory system overview

Reviewed last on: 11/12/2007
Andrew Schriber, M.D., F.C.C.P., Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Marx J, et al. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1005.

Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000:497-498.

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