Pleurisy

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Respiratory system overview

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Pleurisy

Treatment depends on what is causing the pleurisy. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Viral infections normally run their course without medications. Fluid in the lungs may be removed by thoracentesis and checked for signs of infection. The pain of pleurisy can often be controlled with acetominophen or anti-inflammatorydrugs such as ibuprofen.

Recovery depends on what is causing the pleurisy.

• Breathing difficulty
• Complications associated with the original illness
• Collapsed lung due tothoracentesis

Call your health care provider if youhave symptoms of pleurisy. If you have breathing difficulty or the skin turns blue, seek immediate medical care.

Marx J. 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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