Causes
The primary cause of pleuritis is the inflammation of the tissues lining the lungs. This inflammation does not usually happen on its own. Here are some of the conditions that can lead to pleurisy.
- Viral Infection
For many people, a viral infection is the cause [8] of their pleurisy. Viral infections such as the flu (influenza) are common causes of this condition. These infections affect the lungs and can cause the pleura to become inflamed, leading to pleurisy.
- Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is a condition where the air sacs of the lungs become inflamed [9] and may also fill with fluid. The severity of the infection may range from mild to serious, depending on a variety of factors.
This condition may make breathing difficult and prevent sufficient oxygen from getting into your blood. The infection may affect only a small part of your lungs or everything. If you have bacterial pneumonia, there is a high chance you will develop pleurisy. This compounds the discomfort of the condition.
Get treatment early if you have bacterial pneumonia. This will help you avoid more uncomfortable symptoms.