Is tuberculous pleurisy contagious?

Written by Wu Xiao Sheng

Pulmonology

Updated on May 23, 2025

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Tuberculous pleurisy generally does not transmit.

Tuberculous pleurisy is a special clinical type of tuberculosis, caused by the proliferation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the pleura. Tuberculous pleurisy can cause symptoms such as afternoon low fever, night sweats, weight loss, and even chest tightness and shortness of breath. However, since tuberculous pleurisy is not open tuberculosis, it does not release the tuberculosis bacteria into the environment, and thus lacks a definitive transmission route. Hence, tuberculous pleurisy is mostly not contagious to others. Although tuberculous pleurisy is an infectious disease, its infectivity is extremely low.

Other Voices

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Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

1min 1sec

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What causes pleurisy in young people?

In clinical practice, populations with pleurisy are often common among young people and children. The factors inducing pleurisy in young people are mainly due to low immune function and the presence of pathogenic factors that stimulate an inflammatory response in the pleura. Such patients often experience infections, with tuberculosis infections being more common. This often leads to clinical symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and even difficulty breathing. Therefore, for individuals with low immune function, it is particularly important to pay attention to strengthening nutrition and to balance work and rest. When the body's functions are weakened, it is necessary to properly enhance nutrition and exercise to improve the body's immunity and reduce the likelihood of developing pleurisy.

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Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

55sec

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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 Xu Jun Hui

General Surgery

49sec

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The difference between pleurisy and peritonitis

Peritonitis generally refers to a severe disease caused by bacterial infection, chemical irritation, or injury, most of which are secondary peritonitis originating from infections and necrosis of abdominal organs, perforations, trauma, etc. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, tense abdominal muscles, tenderness, and board-like abdomen. Pleurisy generally refers to the inflammation of the pleura caused by pathogenic microorganisms, also known as pleuritis, which can be accompanied by pleural effusion. Pleurisy is commonly caused by tuberculosis. Generally, the symptoms of peritonitis are more severe than those of pleurisy. Both pleurisy and peritonitis require active, timely, and regular treatment.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao

Radiology

1min

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Can pleurisy be seen on a chest X-ray?

Pleurisy can also be detected in chest radiographs, but it depends on the type. There are two types of pleurisy: dry and wet. Dry pleurisy cannot be clearly identified, while wet pleurisy, which is mostly caused by tuberculosis, can show more typical characteristics. Tuberculous pleurisy primarily manifests as pleural effusion. A small amount of pleural effusion on an X-ray appears as blunting of the costophrenic angle on the same side and blurring of the diaphragm. A moderate amount of pleural effusion is shown on the chest radiograph as a uniformly consistent high-density shadow on the same side, which appears higher on the outside and lower on the inside, with an arc-shaped shadow. The muscle costophrenic angle and diaphragm are obscured. A large amount of pleural effusion presents as a high-density shadow in the pleural cavity on the same side, with the mediastinal cardiac silhouette clearly shifting to the interlateral side.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao

Radiology

48sec

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Pleural inflammation CT manifestations

The causes of pleurisy mainly include tuberculous, purulent, bacterial, tumorous, traumatic, and rheumatic types, with the tuberculous type being the most common. Pleurisy is predominantly characterized by pleural effusion, which generally looks similar on a CT scan. CT scans cannot distinguish the cause of pleurisy. A small amount of pleurisy manifests as a minor amount of free effusion, appearing as an arc or crescent of uniform density along the posterior chest wall. As the effusion gradually increases to a moderate or large amount, it can compress lung tissue, leading to compressive atelectasis. In cases of large volume effusion, aside from causing atelectasis, it can also significantly push the mediastinum towards the healthy side.