*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy is inflammation around the lungs, which causes sharp chest pain. It's easy to treat and usually gets better in a few days, but can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, like pneumonia.

Check if it's pleurisy

The main symptom of pleurisy is sharp chest pain when you breathe in.

The pain may be worse when you cough, sneeze or move around.

It may also spread to your shoulders and back.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you have sharp chest pain that comes and goes, or only happens when breathing or coughing
you have sharp chest pain that has not got better after a few days
you've coughed up a few small spots, flecks or streaks of blood, or noticed blood in your phlegm or on a handkerchief
you're feeling short of breath regularly

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you have sudden chest pain that lasts for 15 minutes or more
you have sudden chest pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw
you have difficulty breathing
you're coughing up more than just a few spots or streaks of blood
you're coughing up blood and finding it hard to breathe, have a very fast heartbeat, or have pain in your chest or upper back

These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a heart attack or a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Find your nearest A&E

What happens at your appointment

If you have symptoms of pleurisy, a GP will examine you and listen to your chest.

The GP may refer you to a specialist if they're not sure what's causing your symptoms.

You may need to have tests, such as:

blood tests
a chest X-ray
an ultrasound scan
a CT scan

Treatment for pleurisy

Pleurisy will usually get better on its own in a few days without treatment from a GP.

If your symptoms are being caused by a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, you may need antibiotics.

You can ease the chest pain by:

taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
resting in different positions until you find a comfortable one - lying on the painful side can help

You may need to have treatment in hospital if your symptoms are severe or being caused by something more serious, such as a pulmonary embolism or tuberculosis.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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