Q. What are the Symptoms of acute pericarditis?
Chest Pain
Chest pain is the most important symptom. It is retrosternal in location and patient usually locates the site of the pain without difficulty. The pain is severe and sharp and may radiate to the shoulder region and back. The pericardial pain increases on deep inspiration, coughing, swallowing and lying supine. Pain may be alleviated with patient sitting up and leaning forwards.
Fever
Fever is a feature of pericarditis especially of infective etiology. Viral pericarditis can present with a prodrome of upper respiratory infection, while purulent pericarditis can present with acute onset of fever with chills and rigor. Tuberculous pericarditis can have low grade prolonged fever. Myalgia especially in viral pericarditis.
Most of the patients will have difficulty in breathing secondary to chest pain during inspiration.