Pleurisy Patient Education

What is Pleurisy?

Pleurisy is when the lining around your lungs, called the pleura, becomes inflamed or swollen. This can cause sharp chest pain when you breathe, cough, or move.

Causes and Risk Factors

Viral or bacterial infections, like pneumonia or the flu
Lung conditions like pneumonia or tuberculosis
Injury to the chest
Autoimmune diseases, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung)
Certain cancers

Signs and Symptoms

Sharp, stabbing chest pain that worsens with deep breaths, coughing, or sneezing
Shortness of breath
Cough
Fever (sometimes)
Pain that improves when holding your breath or lying still

Early Warning Signs

Sudden chest pain when breathing deeply or coughing
Feeling short of breath
Mild fever with chest discomfort

Complications if Untreated or Not Following Treatment

Fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion)
Lung infection
Difficulty breathing
Chronic chest pain
Spread of infection to other parts of the body

Treatment and Self-Care Measures

Rest and avoid strenuous activity until you feel better
Take prescribed medicines fully and as directed
Use pain relievers to reduce chest pain and inflammation
Apply heat or cold packs for comfort if advised
Stay hydrated
Practice deep breathing exercises as recommended

Common Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen
Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is causing the pleurisy
Sometimes corticosteroids to reduce inflammation

Side Effects: Medicines may cause stomach upset, allergic reactions, or other side effects. Report any problems to your doctor.

Dietary Needs

Eat balanced meals to support healing
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
Avoid alcohol if taking certain medications

Lifestyle Changes

Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Get vaccines like the flu shot to prevent infections
Practice good hygiene to reduce risk of infections

Safety Considerations

Take medicines exactly as prescribed
Avoid activities that make chest pain worse
Report any worsening symptoms immediately
Avoid lying flat if it makes breathing harder

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

Manage underlying health problems like infections or autoimmune diseases
Seek early treatment for chest infections
Maintain a healthy lifestyle to support lung health
Follow up with your doctor regularly

When to Call for Help

Call your Home Health Agency or Doctor if:

Chest pain worsens or does not improve with medicine
You have fever that won’t go away
You have increasing shortness of breath
You develop a cough that produces yellow or green mucus
You feel weak, dizzy, or very tired
You have side effects from medications

Go to the Emergency Room if:

You have sudden, severe chest pain
You have difficulty breathing or cannot catch your breath
You cough up blood
You have a high fever with chills
You feel faint or confused

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Read each statement. Circle True if correct or False if incorrect. If False, write the correct answer.

True or False: Pleurisy is inflammation of the lining around the lungs.
True or False: Sharp chest pain with deep breathing is a symptom of pleurisy.
True or False: Pleurisy is always caused by lung cancer.
True or False: Rest and medicine can help pleurisy get better.
True or False: Fever can be a sign of infection causing pleurisy.
True or False: You should avoid taking medicines as prescribed if pain improves.
True or False: Pleurisy can cause fluid buildup around the lungs.
True or False: Smoking can worsen lung problems and pleurisy.
True or False: You should call the doctor if chest pain gets worse.
True or False: You can ignore coughing up blood.
True or False: NSAIDs like ibuprofen help reduce inflammation in pleurisy.
True or False: Drinking plenty of fluids supports healing from pleurisy.
True or False: You should get vaccines to prevent infections that can cause pleurisy.
True or False: You should stop deep breathing exercises if you feel pain.
True or False: Pleurisy can cause shortness of breath.
True or False: Antibiotics can treat pleurisy caused by bacteria.
True or False: Pleurisy pain improves when you hold your breath or lie still.
True or False: If you have chest pain and dizziness, you should go to the ER.
True or False: Avoiding strenuous activity helps with recovery from pleurisy.
True or False: You don’t need to follow up with your doctor once symptoms improve.

Individualized Questions About Your Pleurisy

What symptoms brought you here today?
Have you had any recent chest infections or illnesses?
Are you taking any medicines for your chest pain?
Do you smoke or have you been exposed to smoke?
Have you noticed any fever or chills?
Are you able to breathe comfortably at rest and during activity?
Have you had any coughing with mucus or blood?
Do you have any other health problems like lupus or arthritis?
How is your pain level on a scale from 1 to 10?
When is your next follow-up appointment?