3. Symptoms of Pleural Effusion
The symptoms of pleural effusion usually start off mild. Most people think they have a common cold or flu and don’t seek treatment right away. The longer the pleural effusion and the underlying cause goes untreated, the worse the symptoms become. Some treatments are more serious than others, and not everyone will experience the same symptoms.
Symptoms may come and go for some people and be chronic for others. Most people start treating their symptoms before they get a proper diagnosis. While it’s possible to treat some symptoms, they will not get better until the underlying cause is treated. Some people experience symptoms for a few days after the underlying cause has been found and treated. If the underlying cause is an infection, it can return, and the symptoms may become more severe the second time around. Some common symptoms include,
- Fever
- Chills
- Night Sweats
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain