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Explanation of Abdominal Pain with Pneumonia

Patients with pneumonia may develop pleurisy, a medical condition that causes sharp abdominal pain due to inflamed tissue in the lungs and the chest. Pleurisy may cause fluid in the lungs that can result in a bacterial or viral infection.

  1. Disease Connection

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, pleurisy is a common symptom of pneumonia that causes pain in the chest that fluctuates with a patient’s breathing.

    Pleurisy Symptoms

    • Pleurisy can cause bluish skin color, coughing and breathing difficulties along with chest pain, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Testing

    • Doctors may use a stethoscope to listen for a rough, grating sound while a patient breathes. Tests such as an ultrasound of the chest or a chest x-ray may be used with a patient’s symptoms to diagnose pleurisy.

    Treatment

    • A doctor may perform a thoracentesis procedure to remove fluid from a patient’s lungs and look for signs of an infection. Bacterial infections may be treated with antibiotics.

    Complications

    • Patients with pleurisy may develop a collapsed lung or increased breathing difficulties.

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