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Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, the thin lining that covers the lungs and lines the inside of the chest cavity. It causes a sharp, stabbing chest pain that typically worsens with breathing, coughing, or sneezing.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Pleurisy, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
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This needs prompt medical assessment — Because sharp chest pain can have several causes, including serious ones like a blood clot, pleurisy should always be assessed by a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause.
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Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, the thin lining that covers the lungs and lines the inside of the chest cavity. It causes a sharp, stabbing chest pain that typically worsens with breathing, coughing, or sneezing.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, the thin lining that covers the lungs and lines the inside of the chest cavity. It causes a sharp, stabbing chest pain that typically worsens with breathing, coughing, or sneezing.
It's most often caused by a viral infection, though it can also result from bacterial infections, pneumonia, blood clots, or autoimmune conditions. Identifying and treating the underlying cause is key to resolving the pleurisy itself.
Because sharp chest pain can have several causes, including serious ones like a blood clot, pleurisy should always be assessed by a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
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BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Pleurisy usually improves as the underlying cause is treated, though the sharp chest pain can feel alarming while it lasts.
Any new, sudden, sharp chest pain — especially with breathlessness — needs prompt medical assessment to rule out serious causes.