Question 1

can you explain viral myocarditis\?

Accepted Answer

Definition: This is an inflammation of the heart muscle which has been infected by a virus (coxsackie virus is one example).  There is often recovery after the acute illness has passed, but some patients may have such damaging disease that the heart is permanently impaired, sometimes to the extent that a transplant is an option.

Question 2

what do you do to treat viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Generally nothing: Antiviral therapy for most of the viruses which cause myocarditis is not yet available.  Support medically and hopefully recovery while rest and management of complications is attempted.

Question 3

what are the symptoms of viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Heart failure: Shortness of breath, chest pain, shortness of breath on usual or less than usual exertion, sitting up to breath better, waking up short of breath or gasping for air, swelling in the legs and abdomen, skipped or racing beats of the heart.

Question 4

what is the typical course with viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

No typical course: There is no typical course. Depends on the etiology (the causative agent), the initial presentation, the age of onset (kids are more likely to respond to immunoglobulin), the response to therapy, viral load etc. Some patients fully recover, some progress to heart failure with need for transplantation.

Question 5

how long is it take to recover from viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Severe myocarditis either improves quickly or results in death. Other forms linger for months and eventually resolve. Chronic forms stabilize but never resolve.

Question 6

i need to know what is your experience with viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

1/3-1/3-1/3: This is an oversimplification, but some have described myocarditis outcomes as 1/3 have a complete recovery, 1/3 have evidence of long-term heart injury, but survive, and 1/3 die or require heart transplantation for survival.  Heart failure medicines or even circulatory support may positively affect outcomes. There are patient differences that affect outcomes and each virus has a different effect.

Question 7

what steps can one take to reduce the recurrence risk of viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Not much: Viral infections are very difficult to avoid, and there is no vaccine for the viruses most commonly involved in producing myocardial inflammation.

Question 8

what is the treatment for viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Several: Mainly vasodilators such as ace inhibitors or angiogtension receptor blockers (arb's), low dose beta blockers, occasionally inotropes such as digoxin, and sometimes vasodilators like calcium channel blockers like Nifedipine or amlodipine or nitrates. In severe cases, the effective short term treatments are left ventricular assist devices, and in life threatening cases, heart transplantation.

Question 9

what are the signs and symptoms of viral myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Complicated: Some may be relatively without symptoms, although there may be fever, chest pains, and signs and symptoms of heart failure (another detailed subject).  There may also be changes in heart rate and rhythm.  Often the symptoms are not very specific and require detailed testing to establish the diagnosis.

Question 10

could acute viral myocarditis be a congenital worry in children?

Accepted Answer

Rare but possible: A viral myocarditis can present at any age from before birth to old age. Various viral infections can infect the mother during pregnancy and cross the placenta to infect baby. The heart may or may not become inflamed in this process.Acquisition of a virus that causes a myocarditis could occur at any point after delivery.

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for viral myocarditis

A member asked:

Can you explain viral myocarditis\?

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What do you do to treat viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

What is the typical course with viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

How long is it take to recover from viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

I need to know what is your experience with viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

What steps can one take to reduce the recurrence risk of viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

What are the signs and symptoms of viral myocarditis?

A member asked:

Could acute viral myocarditis be a congenital worry in children?

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