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Pleuritic pain: what is the cause?

Pleuritic pain is a sharp stabbing pain in the chest. It can occur in anyone at any age but it is more common in older adults who have underlying lung problems, or who smoke heavily. One of the most common causes is a viral infection or a bacterial infection, which take hold more successfully because of the damage already in the lungs. Knowing the symptoms of pleuritic pain and understanding the possible causes can help you recognise the problem early and distinguish it from other sorts of chest pain. In general, if you have severe chest pain of any sort, or troublesome chest pain that lasts more than a week, you should see your GP urgently. This article on pleuritic pain is written by Kathryn Senior, a freelance journalist who writes health, medical, biological, and pharmaceutical articles for national and international journals, newsletters and web sites.