What pathogen causes endocarditis?
Two kinds of bacteria cause most cases of bacterial endocarditis. These are staphylococci (staph) and streptococci (strep). You may be at increased risk for bacterial endocarditis if you have certain heart valve problems.
What bacteria causes endocarditis in IV drug users?
Endocarditis – injection drug users
- Streptococci (viridans group)
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci.
- Enterococcus.
- Gram-negative bacilli (e.g., P. aeruginosa)
- Candida species (usually C. albicans)
Who is at risk for endocarditis?
Endocarditis occurs most often in older adults over age 60. Artificial heart valves. Germs are more likely to attach to an artificial (prosthetic) heart valve than to a normal heart valve.
What’s the difference between endocarditis and pericarditis?
Endocarditis is inflammation of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. Pericarditis is inflammation of the tissue that forms a sac around the heart. Many things cause heart inflammation.
What is the main cause of pericarditis?
The cause of pericarditis is often unknown, though viral infections are a common reason. Pericarditis may occur after a respiratory or digestive system infection. Chronic and recurring pericarditis may be caused by autoimmune disorders such as lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Which is worse myocarditis or pericarditis?
The clinical presentation of myocarditis can range from minor chest pain to cardiogenic shock. Indeed, myocarditis is associated with more serious long-term sequelae than pericarditis is, the most serious of which are dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
What causes pericarditis flare ups?
There are many causes of pericarditis: Viral pericarditis is caused by a complication of a viral infection, most often a gastrointestinal virus. Bacterial pericarditis is caused by a bacterial infection, including tuberculosis. Fungal pericarditis is caused by a fungal infection.
How do you stop pericarditis?
Treatment
- Pain relievers. Pericarditis pain can usually be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
- Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare). This drug reduces inflammation in the body.
- Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are strong medications that fight inflammation.
What can be mistaken for pericarditis?
The presentation of acute pericarditis can often mimic that of acute myocardial infarction. Vasculitis/connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupis erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, CREST syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.
What are the long-term effects of pericarditis?
Some people with long-term (chronic) pericarditis develop permanent thickening and scarring of the pericardium, which prevents the heart from filling and emptying properly. This unusual complication often leads to severe swelling of the legs and abdomen and shortness of breath. Cardiac tamponade.
How long can you live with pericarditis?
Symptoms of acute pericarditis can last from one to three weeks. Chronic pericarditis lasts three months or longer.
What viruses can cause pericarditis?
The following viral infections can lead to pericarditis:
- Usual viral and cold meningitis caused by a group of viruses (enteroviruses)
- Glandular fever.
- Pneumonia and bronchitis caused by adenoviruses.
- Infections caused by cytomegalovirus.
- Infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (genital herpes and cold sores)
What are the dangers of pericarditis?
Chronic pericarditis often causes tiredness, coughing, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can lead to swelling in the stomach and legs and hypotension (low blood pressure). Two serious complications of pericarditis are cardiac tamponade and chronic constrictive pericarditis.