Do children with myocarditis have a fever?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 29, 2024
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In general, viral myocarditis is the most common form of myocarditis in children. This condition can be caused by various viruses such as influenza, parainfluenza, Coxsackie virus, adenovirus, etc., affecting the pediatric cardiac muscle tissue, which in turn can lead to symptoms of myocarditis. Since it is an infectious disease, fever is a common symptom. Fevers associated with myocarditis might present as high or moderate. Treatment primarily focuses on cardiac recovery, nourishing the cardiac muscle, steroids, and immunoglobulins, among others. Severe myocarditis is a critical condition that requires timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid worsening the situation.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Is pediatric myocarditis curable?

Myocarditis in children is generally caused by a viral infection, which means viral myocarditis is the most common type. This condition indicates that the virus has damaged the myocardial cells, leading to severe symptoms such as heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Once myocarditis is diagnosed in a child, it is crucial to hospitalize and treat them actively. While treating myocarditis, it is essential to use medications that nourish the myocardium and actively treat the primary disease. Most children with myocarditis have a favorable prognosis, but fulminant myocarditis has a poor prognosis, carrying a certain risk of mortality.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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How is myocarditis cured?

Myocarditis often has a self-limiting course, and viral infection is a common cause of myocarditis. Currently, there is no specific treatment for viral myocarditis. Treatments are divided into two main categories: general treatment, primarily consisting of rest. Generally, patients should rest in bed for more than three months, while also paying attention to their diet by eating easily digestible foods rich in vitamins and proteins. The second category is drug treatment, which mainly supports heart function. In cases of heart failure, diuretics, vasodilators, and ACE inhibitors should be administered. For arrhythmias, anti-arrhythmic treatment is necessary. If viral myocarditis is confirmed, antiviral treatment should be given. Additionally, drugs that enhance myocardial metabolism, such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate, coenzyme A, or adenosine triphosphate, should also be used. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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How is myocarditis detected?

The diagnosis of myocarditis includes several aspects: The electrocardiogram may show STT changes, or various arrhythmias. Chest radiography may reveal an enlarged cardiac silhouette, while an echocardiogram may be normal or show left ventricular enlargement. Magnetic resonance imaging may show myocardial edema or congestion. Biochemical examinations may reveal elevated levels of troponin and myocardial enzymes, as well as increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Additional diagnostic methods include etiological examinations, which can identify viral infections through blood or stool samples. Furthermore, endocarditis or myocardial biopsy can provide definitive diagnosis.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Does myocarditis cause a fever?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease, commonly caused by viral infections, with the Coxsackievirus being the most common. Other infections, such as bacterial, fungal, and Rickettsia, can also cause myocarditis. These infectious myocarditis cases generally show preliminary symptoms of infection, such as fever, in the 1 to 3 weeks before the onset of the disease. Fever indicates a high body temperature, which means the same as having a fever. However, there are also non-infectious forms of myocarditis, such as those caused by drugs, radiation, or connective tissue diseases, and these non-infectious types of myocarditis do not always involve a fever.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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What are the symptoms of myocarditis?

The clinical manifestations of myocarditis in patients depend on the extent and location of the lesion. Mild cases may have no symptoms at all, while severe cases can even present with heart failure and shock. Most patients have precursor symptoms of viral infection one to three weeks before the onset, such as fever, general fatigue, and muscle soreness. Some patients have gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Subsequently, they may experience palpitations, chest pain, breathing difficulties, edema, and even fainting or sudden death. The majority of clinically diagnosed myocarditis cases primarily present with or are primarily symptomatic of psychological frailty. A minority of patients may experience fainting or Aschner's syndrome as a result.