3. Cough
When the lungs are full of fluid, the body wants to remove it. Breathing is difficult, and a cough is a natural reaction to something foreign being in the lungs.
The cough may contain fluid and phlegm or may be dry. The cough can be mild or severe. In most cases, the cough will get worse the longer the person remains sick with the condition. Cough suppressants may help treat the symptoms but won’t help the underlying cause of the condition or the conditions itself. Mucus medications may be able to thin the mucus in the lungs to make breathing easier and reduce coughing. It can also help make the mucus easier to remove.
Doctors may also prescribe medications that can help treat the cough related to pleural effusion. A cough can be a symptom of many other illnesses as well, so it’s best to allow a doctor to diagnose the problem.