What is the treatment for pleural effusion?

• A. Antibiotics alone
• B. Vaccination
• C. Addressing the cause and draining the fluid
• D. Bronchodilator therapy

Answer: (C)

Treating pleural effusion relies on relieving the fluid buildup and addressing the underlying cause. Draining the fluid, such as with thoracentesis or chest tube, provides rapid relief of shortness of breath and improves lung expansion. At the same time, treating the root cause—diuretics or heart failure management, antibiotics for infection or empyema, cancer therapy for malignancy, etc.—is essential to prevent the fluid from reaccumulating. Antibiotics alone may help if an infection is driving the effusion, but without removing fluid the effort often isn’t enough. Vaccination is preventive and does not treat an existing effusion, and bronchodilators do not impact pleural fluid.