The cause of pericarditis is often unknown or unproven, but is often the result of an infection such as:
Viral infections that cause a chest cold or pneumonia, such as the echovirus or coxsackie virus (which are common in children), as well as influenza Infections with bacteria (much less common) Some fungal infections (even more rare)
In addition, pericarditis may be seen with diseases such as:
Cancer (including leukemia) Disorders in which the immune system attacks healthy body tissue by mistake HIV infection and AIDS Underactive thyroid gland Kidney failure Rheumatic fever Tuberculosis (TB)
Other causes include:
Heart attack Heart surgery or trauma to the chest, esophagus, or heart Certain medications, such as procainamide, hydralazine, phenytoin, isoniazid, and some drugs used to treat cancer or suppress the immune system Swelling or inflammation of the heart muscle Radiation therapy to the chest
What causes Pericarditis?
The cause of pericarditis is often unknown or unproven, but is often the result of an infection such as:
Viral infections that cause a chest cold or pneumonia, such as the echovirus or coxsackie virus (which are common in children), as well as influenza Infections with bacteria (much less common) Some fungal infections (even more rare)
In addition, pericarditis may be seen with diseases such as:
Cancer (including leukemia) Disorders in which the immune system attacks healthy body tissue by mistake HIV infection and AIDS Underactive thyroid gland {{NAME}} failure Rheumatic fever Tuberculosis (TB)
Other causes include:
Heart attack Heart surgery or trauma to the chest, esophagus, or heart Certain medications, such as procainamide, hydralazine, phenytoin, isoniazid, and some drugs used to treat cancer or suppress the immune system Swelling or inflammation of the heart muscle Radiation therapy to the chest