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Sub-Category:

Pleurisy (Pleuritis)

Sub-category: Inflammatory Conditions

Symptoms:
sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing; shortness of breath; dry cough; fever in infectious cases

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the pleura, often caused by viral or bacterial infection, autoimmune diseases, or lung injury.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, chest X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, and blood tests for inflammation markers and infection.

Treatment:
Treatment targets the underlying cause

Medications:
NSAIDs like ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory); antibiotics such as amoxicillin (beta-lactam) for bacterial infections; and corticosteroids like prednisone (immunosuppressant) in autoimmune cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Varies widely; more common in viral infections and autoimmune conditions.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Respiratory infections, autoimmune diseases, trauma to the chest, or a history of pleural effusion.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated promptly, with most cases resolving within a few weeks. Chronic cases may occur with underlying autoimmune conditions.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pleural effusion, empyema, or fibrosis if untreated.