The inflamed pleural layers rub against each other every time the lungs expand to breathe in air. This can cause severe sharp pain with inhalation (also called pleuritic chest pain).

The main symptom of pleurisy is a sharp or stabbing pain in the chest that gets worse with deep breathing, coughing, sneezing or laughing. The pain may stay in one place, or it may spread to the shoulder or back. Sometimes it becomes a fairly constant dull ache. Pleuricy itself is benign. However, it can be indicative of a more serous condition especially when it is accompanied with the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath

• Cough
• Fever and chills
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Sore throat followed by pain and swelling in the joints
• Diarrhea
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Coughing up blood