Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pleural empyema history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Symptoms of empyema may vary in severity. Most patients with empyema may prersent with fever and chills, cough, shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, anaerobic infections however, can be more indolent, with up to 70% of patients having symptoms for more than 1 week.[1][2] Additionally, these patients tend to have more constitutional symptoms including; excessive night sweating, weight loss
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms of empyema may vary in severity. Most patients with empyema may prersent with the following:[1][2]
- Fever and chills
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Pleuritic chest pain
- Anaerobic infections however, can be more indolent, with up to 70% of patients having symptoms for more than 1 week.
- Additionally, these patients tend to have more constitutional symptoms including:
- Excessive sweating, especially night Sweats
- Weight loss
- Additionally, these patients tend to have more constitutional symptoms including:
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Atay S, Banki F, Floyd C (2016). “Empyema necessitans caused by actinomycosis: A case report”. Int J Surg Case Rep. 23: 182–5. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2016.04.005. PMC 5022073. PMID 27180228.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Monteiro R, Alfaro TM, Correia L, Simão A, Carvalho A, Costa JN (2011). “[Lung abscess and thoracic empyema: retrospective analysis in an internal medicine department]”. Acta Med Port. 24 Suppl 2: 229–40. PMID 22849907.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]