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Bacterial Pericarditis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The pericardium is a sac-like structure that surrounds the heart. Inflammation of the heart sac, called pericarditis, can be due to infections caused by bacteria.
What is going on in the body?
In most cases, a person with this disease starts out having an infection, such as pneumonia, somewhere else in the body. The bacteria can then get into the bloodstream and reach the heart. Infection of the heart sac results in bacterial pericarditis, which is life threatening.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Several different bacteria can cause this disease. Examples include staphylococci, group A streptococci, and the bacteria that cause Borrelia burgdorferi.\ It is passed to humans through tick bites. ',CAPTION,'Lyme Disease');" onmouseout="return nd();">Lyme disease.
The risks of this disease include: