PLEURISY
If you have pleurisy, the lining around your lungs is inflamed. It is most often due to a viral infection or pneumonia. It usually lasts for 10-14 days. It may cause sharp pain with breathing, coughing, sneezing and movement. Antibiotics are usually not prescribed for this condition unless pneumonia is also present.
HOME CARE:
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If symptoms are severe, rest at home for the first 2-3 days.
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Avoid being exposed to cigarette smoke (yours or that of others).
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You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. [NOTE: If you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or GI bleeding, talk with your doctor before using these medicines.]
FOLLOW UP with your doctor or as advised if you do not improve over the next week.
GET PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION if any of the following occur:
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Increasing shortness of breath
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Increase in chest pain, or pain spreads to the neck, arm or back
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Fever over 100.4ºF (38.0ºC) for more than three days
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Coughing up lots of colored sputum (mucus) or blood
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Redness, pain or swelling of the leg
