Can pleurisy lead to death?

As a medical professional with expertise in respiratory health, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question. Pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the pleura (the protective tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity), can be quite painful and uncomfortable. It is often caused by a viral infection, but can also be a result of other conditions such as a bacterial infection, autoimmune diseases, or even a reaction to certain medications. While pleurisy itself is not typically life-threatening, it can be a symptom of more serious underlying conditions that could potentially lead to death. For instance, if pleurisy is caused by a severe infection or a complication like a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot inside the blood vessels to the lungs, it can be life-threatening. Pulmonary embolism can severely reduce blood and oxygen to portions of the lung and can result in death to that portion of lung tissue, a condition known as lung infarction. This, too, can cause pleurisy. However, it's important to note that not all cases of pleurisy are associated with such severe outcomes. Treatment for pleurisy usually involves addressing the underlying cause, and most people recover fully with appropriate care.

Congestion: heart failure. Pulmonary embolism: blood clot inside the blood vessels to the lungs. These clots sometimes severely reduce blood and oxygen to portions of the lung and can result in death to that portion of lung tissue (termed lung infarction). This, too, can cause pleurisy.