What Causes Pleuritic Pain In A Patient With Lung Infection?

Posted on Tue, 12 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 12 May 2015 Answered on

Mon, 1 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a lung infection with cough that lasted a few weeks, about two months ago. Ever since then I have a painful spot just under my rib cage on the left side (maybe just over the diaphram) of my sternum. It hurts when I cough, even slightly. Feels like a torm muscle or bruised rib. I am concerned because it has lingered a for 2 or 3 months now. Asked my doctor but he didn't seem concerned.
Also, I quit smoking 2 months ago. I smoked 42 years.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are mostly having pleuritic pain.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, in my opinion you are mostly having pleuritic pain.
Lung infection causes pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura). And treatment causes fibrosis of this inflammed pleura.
Fibrosis suggest healing and thickening of pleura.
So localised pleural surface will rub while coughing or sneezing or yawning and cause localised pain.
So possibility of pleural thickening due to healing of pleurisy is high in your case.
Get done ultrasound examination to rule out this.
Please let me know, do you have lung infection in the same area of pain?
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar