Do children with myocarditis have a fever?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 29, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
1min 16sec home-news-image

Is myocarditis easy to treat?

Myocarditis refers to the inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Symptoms of myocarditis can vary greatly; some individuals may exhibit no symptoms, while others may experience cardiogenic shock or sudden death. Currently, there are no specific treatments for myocarditis. Patients should avoid exertion, rest appropriately, and receive nutritional support. It is advised to encourage patients to consume a diet that is easy to digest and rich in vitamins and proteins. For asymptomatic patients, attention should be paid to rest and nutrition. However, in cases where there is left ventricular dysfunction, treatment primarily supports these symptoms. For instance, in the event of heart failure, diuretics, vasodilators, or ACE inhibitors might be administered. Most cases of myocarditis are self-limiting, but there are occasional instances of fulminant or severe myocarditis, which should be taken seriously. Therefore, the treatability of myocarditis is related to the extent and location of the pathological changes. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
42sec home-news-image

The dangers of myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Most cases of myocarditis are self-limiting, but if not treated promptly, it can progress to dilated cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy often begins insidiously. Once symptoms appear and the patient enters the stage of heart failure, the condition becomes very serious. Additionally, a minority of patients experience a fulminant onset, leading to acute decompensation or sudden death. Fulminant myocarditis and severe myocarditis progress quickly and have a high mortality rate, thus highlighting the dangers of myocarditis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
34sec home-news-image

What should be avoided in the diet for myocarditis?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Currently, there is no specific treatment for myocarditis. Patients should avoid fatigue, rest adequately to reduce cardiac load, and pay attention to nutritional intake. It is encouraged to eat easily digestible foods that are rich in vitamins and high in protein, and to avoid spicy, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods. Additionally, it is advisable to consume more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamin C.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
49sec home-news-image

Manifestations of myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Its manifestations depend on the extent and location of the condition; mild cases may have no symptoms, while severe cases can lead to cardiogenic shock and sudden death. Most patients experience precursor symptoms of viral infection one to three weeks before onset, such as fever, general fatigue, and muscle soreness, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Subsequently, they may experience palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and potentially fainting or sudden death. Clinically diagnosed myocarditis is mostly due to arrhythmias as the primary complaint, or patients seek treatment for common symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
1min 28sec home-news-image

How is myocarditis diagnosed?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium, which can be confirmed by the following tests: Chest X-rays can show an enlarged cardiac silhouette. Electrocardiograms can reveal changes in the ST-T segments, and various arrhythmias may also occur, especially ventricular arrhythmias and atrioventricular conduction blocks. Echocardiography might be normal, or it might show enlargement of the left ventricle and weakened wall motion. Cardiac MRI is of significant importance for the diagnosis of myocarditis, showing patchy enhancement of the myocardium. Biochemical blood tests can show elevated non-specific inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein, and elevated levels of myocardial enzymes and troponin. Serological testing for viruses can suggest a cause but is not definitive for diagnosis. Finally, endomyocardial biopsy, besides diagnosing, can also aid in assessing the condition and prognosis. However, it is invasive, so it is generally used only in urgent and severe cases, cases with poor treatment response, or in patients with undiagnosed causes. It is not commonly performed in patients with mild conditions.