Is Pleurisy Contagious?

The lungs and the chest wall are located in two separate positions, and the medium that separates them is what is known as the pleura. It is a membrane that produces or contains serum, and folds back onto itself and forms a two-layered structure of membranes. Now, the outer part of this structure is attached to or lines the chest wall, while the inner portion overlies each lung and covers adjoining structures such as the blood vessels, bronchi, and nerves.

The outer and the inner layer slide over each other with almost no friction, with the help of a small amount of lubricating fluid that is contained in the tiny space between these two layers. So due to the presence of double layer of membranes, the lungs are function during the respiration process, without  any resistance from the lining of the chest wall.

Now, factors such as an acute viral infection (common being influenza), pneumonia, tuberculosis, or a condition wherein, a clot develops in the artery of the lungs, may cause the pleura to inflame.

This causes the two layers to press against each other, and this causes friction and pressure on the lungs. This condition is known as pleurisy, and it causes a sharp pain almost every time when a person inhales or exhales.

Technically, pleurisy cannot be regarded as a contagious condition. However, the causal agent of the condition which can be a virus, or more commonly the pneumonia-causing bacteria, can be passed on from the ailing person to another. But it cannot be said for certain that, the person who has contracted the infection from the ill one, will develop pleurisy.

People with a compromised immune system are more vulnerable not only to catch the infection from a person with pleurisy, but to develop the same as a complication of the infection, as well. The infection may spread via sneezing, coughing, sharing utensils, or coming in contact with contaminated objects.

The main symptoms of this condition, also known as, pleuritis, is a sharp pain that is felt to be originating from the chest. And this pain typically occurs when the person inhales and exhales, with no pain between breathing. The pain usually occurs on only one side of the chest, and might be accompanied by shortness of breath.

In some people, the pain might radiate to the shoulder or belly, and get worse with jarring activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing and the like. Depending upon what has caused this condition, there may be additional symptoms.

For instance, if a viral infection is the culprit then, fever, headache, and muscles aches may show up, along with the above ones. Dry cough, and poor feeding are also some other pleurisy symptoms.

Diagnosing the cause is the primary concern for doctors, because the causal factor determines the course of treatment. If pneumonia is the cause, then the first line of treatment would be the use of antibiotics. And if a blood clot has caused it, then medications to dissolve the clot are prescribed to the patient.

Besides dealing with the underlying cause, doctors also advise the patient to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to manage the pain which might interfere with normal breathing. Since cough can worsen the condition, medications to control it may also be recommended.

Pleurisy is not appropriately regarded as a condition in itself, but a complication of factors such as infections, and others as mentioned above. And in very rare cases, it has happened that the causal virus was transmitted from the ailing person to the other, and caused pleurisy.