Pleurisy Symptoms

You can have many symptoms with pleurisy.

• Chest pain: This is the most common symptom. The pain is generally a sharp, stabbing pain, but may also be a dull ache or a burning sensation. It is usually worse when you take a deep breath, cough, or move around. The pain is usually better if you take shallow breaths or lie on the side that hurts. Chest pain is what usually causes people with pleurisy to seek medical attention.

• Cough: You may get a cough, depending on the cause of the pleurisy. Your cough may be dry or productive of sputum or blood.

• Shortness of breath: The shortness of breath associated with pleurisy may be due to the underlying cause, such as a blood clot in the lungs or pneumonia, or it may be due to the chest pain caused by breathing.

• Fever: You may also get a fever, depending on the cause of the pleurisy.