Is pleurisy without effusion serious?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on May 27, 2025
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Pleurisy is very common clinically and generally occurs in some males. It is mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the pleural cavity. Some patients with pleurisy may not have obvious effusion, leading to less severe symptoms. Such patients should be treated promptly with anti-tuberculosis drugs, and generally, this does not lead to serious consequences. If pleurisy is not treated effectively with medications, it might lead to a worsening of the condition, causing different amounts of effusion in the pleural cavity. In severe cases, it can cause respiratory difficulty and cyanosis. Therefore, even without effusion, pleurisy can potentially lead to serious consequences and should be treated promptly. Generally, it can be effectively and completely cured under normal circumstances.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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How to treat pleurisy without effusion?

Pleurisy is a very common type of inflammatory response of the pleura caused by pathogenic factors in clinical practice. In clinical settings, some patients may develop pleural effusion, while others may not. Therefore, the treatment for pleurisy without pleural effusion mainly involves symptomatic management with anti-tuberculosis drugs. Typically, the treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs should follow a regimen that is early, combined, adequate, regular, and complete. For the treatment of such pleurisy patients, it is known that most cases are caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, when treating such patients, it is crucial to strictly follow the treatment regimen of anti-tuberculosis medications to effectively control the uncomfortable symptoms caused by pleurisy.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is it normal to occasionally have chest pain with pleurisy?

Pleurisy is a very common type of disease, with many triggering factors. Most cases of pleurisy are caused by infection of the pleural cavity by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, leading to inflammatory lesions. Once pleurisy is diagnosed, patients should promptly receive anti-tuberculosis medication for effective treatment. It is commonly known that if pleurisy is not controlled promptly and effectively, it may lead to worsening symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and chest pain, so these clinical symptoms are also very common in patients with pleurisy. Therefore, it is very common for patients with pleurisy to experience chest pain. Even after complete recovery from pleurisy, there may be varying degrees of chest pain, which is considered normal. This is because pleurisy in the acute phase may involve different degrees of adhesions, hence chest pain may occur later on as well.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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Can you exercise with pleurisy?

Whether or not a patient with pleurisy can exercise should be determined based on the individual's specific condition. For mild pleurisy without pleural effusion and severe pain, exercise is permissible. However, if pleural effusion is present, it should be drained or aspirated first, after which exercise can be encouraged. Exercise should be moderate, as it can help absorb the pleural effusion, which is beneficial for the patient. Additionally, if pleurisy causes severe pain, it is best to minimize movement to avoid exacerbating the pain.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Is pleurisy calcification dangerous?

Pleural calcification generally poses no major danger. It is typically a result of incomplete treatment of pleuritis or prolonged illness that delays the disease management, causing the disease to progress and the pleura to develop adhesions, leading to the deposition of calcium salts on the pleura and resulting in calcification. Depending on the extent of this pleural calcification, if severe, it may affect lung expansion and thereby reduce respiratory function. However, most cases do not exhibit significant symptoms. Moreover, it does not greatly impact the patient's life or quality of life. Therefore, when such calcification is observed, it is generally recommended that the patient be advised to attend regular follow-up checks. It does not necessarily cause any special symptoms, so there is no need for concern.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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What medicine to take for pleurisy

Regarding what medicine to take for pleurisy, it depends on the specific actual situation. If it is simple mild pleuritis without pleural effusion and only pain, generally, if the pain is not severe, medication may not be necessary. If the pain is severe, one can (under the guidance of a doctor) take oral pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen with codeine for symptomatic treatment. If there are symptoms such as fever, coughing up phlegm, pleural effusion, or even suspected tuberculous pleuritis, long-term oral anti-tuberculosis drugs are required for treatment. If tuberculosis cannot be confirmed and there are no significant symptoms, symptomatic treatment can be administered temporarily.