DefinitionPleurisy is inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest (the pleura) that leads to chest pain (usually sharp) when you take a breath or cough.Alternative NamesPleuritis; Pleuritic chest painCauses, incidence, and risk factorsPleurisy may develop when you have lung inflammation due to infections such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. It is often a sign of a viral infection of the lungs. This inflammation also causes the sharp chest pain of pleurisy.It may also occur with:Asbestos-related diseaseCertain cancersChest traumaPulmonary embolusRheumatic diseasesSymptomsThe main symptom of pleurisy is pain in the chest. This pain most likely occurs when you take a deep breath in or out, or cough. Some people feel the pain in the shoulder.Deep breathing, coughing, and chest movement mak