Covenant Family Practice - Acute Pericarditis

Home

Acute Pericarditis - Acute Pericarditis

Written by Robert A Wilson

Sunday, 11 February 2007

Article Index
Acute Pericarditis
What your doctor can do
What you can do

Page 1 of 3

Acute pericarditis refers to inflammation of the pericardium (the membrane that surrounds the heart). Common causes of inflammation include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic); chronic kidney failure; rheumatic fever or lupus; complications from chest injury, from heart surgery or heart attack; or from cancer spreading to the heart. Risk is increased if you have had tuberculosis (TB).

Symptoms may include:

A specific pattern of chest pain: Dull or sharp; aggravated by movement; radiates into the neck or shoulder area; and is relieved by sitting up and leaning forward
Rapid breathing; non-productive cough
Fever with or without chills
Weakness
Anxiousness

Prev - Next >>

Last Updated ( Friday, 08 February 2008 )

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Newsflash

Overview

Swine influenza is flu virus usually found in pigs. The virus occasionally changes (mutates) and becomes infectious in humans. When this happens, the disease becomes a concern to humans, who have little or no immunity against it. This means the virus has the potential to spread quickly around the world. It also may be more difficult to treat than the usual, seasonal human flu viruses.

Symptoms

Symptoms of H1N1 flu infection in humans are similar to classic flu-like symptoms, which might include: