Empyema is pus trapped in the space between the lung and the chest wall. It usually starts as a simple lung infection that decides to stick around, so symptoms shift from “bad cold” to “can’t move without pain.”

Sharp chest pain is the hallmark. It stabs on one side with every breath, cough, sneeze, or hiccup, forcing you to take short, shallow breaths.

High fever and chills are common. Temperature spikes over 100.4 °F, often with soaking sweats at night.

Shortness of breath creeps in. You puff climbing a few stairs or can’t finish a sentence without pausing, even though the lung itself is healthy.

Dry, hacking cough shows up. It’s triggered by the irritated lining but brings up little or no phlegm.

Fatigue and fast heart rate follow. You feel wiped out and notice your pulse racing even while sitting still.

Late alarms include blue lips, a hard time lying flat, or coughing up thick, foul-smelling pus—clues the infection is winning.