Is this topic for you? This topic provides information about
pleurisy, which usually results in chest pain. If you have chest
pain that concerns you and that your doctor does not know about,
see the Pleurisy is swelling (inflammation) of the thin layers
of tissue (pleura) covering the lungs and the chest wall. The
outer layer of the pleura lines the inside of the chest wall,
and the inner layer covers the lungs. The tiny space between the
two layers is called the pleural cavity. This cavity normally
contains a small amount of lubricating fluid that allows the two
layers to slide over each other when you When the pleura becomes
inflamed, the layers rub together, causing chest pain. This is
known as pleuritic pain. Pleurisy is sometimes called pleuritis.
What causes pleurisy? In young, healthy people an infection of
the lower respiratory system by a virus or bacteria may cause
pleurisy. Pleurisy usually lasts a few days to 2 weeks. In very
rare cases, the virus or bacteria may spread and cause pleurisy
in other