Summary
pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura) is an inflammation of the pleural leaf, which can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, but also by other diseases such as pneumonia or tumor disease. Inflammation of the pleura is accompanied by severe pain, especially respiratory pain, and can massively worsen the general condition. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient’s medical history, a physical examination and auscultation as well as laboratory values.
An ultrasound examination can be used to visualize an effusion. If there are indications of non-inflammatory causes of the disease, the entire body must be examined. The therapy is mainly symptom-oriented and is carried out with painkillers and cough suppressants.
In case of severe bacterial inflammation, antibitotics are administered. In some cases it is also necessary to perform a pleural puncture or to insert a pleural drainage. The prognosis is favorable in most cases, but untreated, severe bacterial inflammation or tuberculous pleurisy can lead to death.
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