Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

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Complications of Pleurisy

Very rarely, excess fluid can build up in between the pleura. This is called pleural effusion. This may relieve chest pain but also puts a lot of strain on the lungs causing shortness of breath. It is also possible for the excess liquid in a pleural effusion to become infected.

A pleural effusion normally clears up when the condition that caused it in the first place goes away. If it doesn’t clear up naturally, surgery can be used to drain the fluid.