Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • The pleura are the thin membranes that line the inner wall of the chest and form the outside covering around the lungs.
  • Pleurisy is a condition whereby inflammation of the pleura causes the membranes to rub and grate against each other.
  • Common causes of pleurisy include bacterial and viral infections which can lead to pneumonia.
  • Other causes of pleurisy include a pulmonary embolus, cancer and trauma to the chest wall.
  • Some causes of chest pain are dangerous and potentially life-threatening, so it is important to ask your doctor to assess any chest pain that worries you.

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Reviewed on: 24-05-2018