Recovery After A Pleural Effusion

[bednobs]

how long does it take a pleural effusion (pneumonia related; not big enough to drain but big enough to give symptoms)to go away. are we talking of weeks or months?

[anneasquith]

A lot depends on why there was a PE to begin with .

[bednobs]

pneumonia

[Sqad]

How long is a piece of string?
If the pneumonia has settled completely, the one should see on chest X-ray resolution of the effusion after 3 months.

[bednobs]

3 months????!!!!!! sheesh

[bednobs]

Sqad I see you're around. Is that 3 symptom full months or 3 months where pt is feeling better but just not resolved on xray?

[Sqad]

By symptoms I presume you mean, cough, shortness of breath or both.
As the effusion is absorbed, the symptoms regress, but, a patient maybe symptomless with a small residual effusion noted on check chest X-ray.
I am not sure what you are looking for bednobs.

[bednobs]

thanks sqad, i suppose i was wondering how long before the pt feels better

[Peter Pedant]

feels better
cd be longer - because there is the under lying disease process

time will tell - take a 2', 3' 4' opinion - someone (one of them) will say - oh much quicker and stop there

Note : I have some very unpopular opinions but they may still be right - but that is AB for you ! no guarantees at all

[Peter Pedant]

she is looking for the old take up your bed and walk bit ( jn 5 1 )