You friend is experiencing pleurisy, an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs.
Pleurisy occurs when the two layers of the pleura become red and inflamed.
In some cases of pleurisy, excess fluid builds up in the pleural space (space between the two layers of pleura).
Chest pain, cough, shortness of breath and fever are common symptoms.
There are different infective and non-infective causes for this condition (pneumonia, reumatic fever, genetic disorder, connective tissue disorders)