Pleurisy: Recognize the Ten Warning Signs Now

7. Fever and Chills

When the pleura and fluid in the lungs become infected, the body's natural reaction is to fight the inflammation by increasing the immune system response. One way the immune system responds is by producing pyrogens. These chemicals travel to the brain, where the hypothalamus senses their presence. In response, the hypothalamus raises the body's temperature above the normal range, prompting a fever to defend against the infection. Pleurisy is sometimes caused by a bacterial or viral infection, and the infection itself can cause fever and chills.