Pleural Effusion

A child with severe or very severe pneumonia may develop pleural effusion or emphyema.On examination of pleural effusion,the chest is dull to percussion and breath sounds are reduced or absent over the affected area.Patient with pleural effusion,a pleural rub may be heard at an early stage before the effusion is fully developed.A chest X-ray pleural effusion shows fluid on one or both sides of the chest.When empyema is present,fever persist despite antibiotic therapy and the pleural fluid is cloudy or frankly purulent.Pleural effusion should be drained,unless they are very small.(WHO)