Healthy lifestyle practices can reduce the risk of lung infection for people with pleurisy, including good hand washing, drinking plenty of fluids, eating a well-balanced diet, getting plenty of rest, and refraining from smoking. In some cases, pleurisy can be associated with serious or life-threatening symptoms. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms, such as severe difficulty breathing, severe sharp chest pain, bluish lips or fingernails, fast heart rate, and anxiety.