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Pleural Effusion
A pleural effusion is a build-up of fluid between the lung and the chest wall. It is a sign of an underlying condition, so finding the cause is important.
Causes & risk factors
- Heart failure (most common cause)
- Infections such as pneumonia or TB
- Cancer affecting the lung or lining
- Liver or kidney disease
- Blood clots in the lung
Common symptoms
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain, worse on breathing
- Dry cough
- Discomfort lying flat
- Fever if caused by infection
Tests & diagnosis
- Chest X-ray
- Chest ultrasound
- CT chest scan
- Fluid sampling (pleural tap)
Treatment & management
- Treating the underlying cause
- Draining the fluid to ease breathing
- Antibiotics if caused by infection
- Diuretics for heart-related fluid
- Procedures to stop fluid returning in some cases
When to see a doctor urgently
- Severe breathlessness — call your local emergency number now
- Chest pain with fever and cough — urgent care
- Breathlessness with known heart, liver or kidney disease
- Symptoms that keep coming back
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about pleural effusion. It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Is draining the fluid painful?
The area is numbed first, so it is usually only mildly uncomfortable, and breathing often improves quickly afterwards.
Will the fluid come back?
It can, if the underlying cause is not treated. Managing the root condition is the key to preventing recurrence.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.