Streptococcal Infections—Pericardial Disorders

The pericardium is a membrane, or sac, that surrounds your heart. It holds the heart in place and helps it work properly. Problems with the pericardium include

• Pericarditis – an inflammation of the sac. It can be from a virus or other infection, a heart attack, heart surgery, other medical conditions, injuries, and certain medicines.
• Pericardial effusion – the buildup of fluid in the sac
• Cardiac tamponade – a serious problem in which buildup of fluid in the sac causes problems with the function of the heart

Symptoms of pericardial problems include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Fever is a common symptom of acute pericarditis. Your doctor may use a physical exam, imaging tests, and heart tests to make a diagnosis. Treatment depends on the cause.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• Cardiac tamponade (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pericardiocentesis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pericarditis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pericarditis – after heart attack (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pericarditis – constrictive (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Strep

Strep is short for Streptococcus, a type of bacteria. There are two types: group A and group B.

Group A strep causes

• Strep throat – a sore, red throat. Your tonsils may be swollen and have white spots on them.
• Scarlet fever – an illness that follows strep throat. It causes a red rash on the body.
• Impetigo – a skin infection
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease)

Group B strep can cause blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis in newborns. A screening test during pregnancy can tell if you have it. If you do, I.V. antibiotics during labor can save your baby’s life. Adults can also get group B strep infections, especially if they are elderly or already have health problems. Strep B can cause urinary tract infections, blood infections, skin infections and pneumonia in adults.

Antibiotics are used to treat strep infections.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

• Ecthyma (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Erysipelas (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Group B streptococcus – pregnancy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Perianal streptococcal cellulitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Rheumatic fever (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Scarlet fever (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Strep throat (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Streptococcal screen (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Throat swab culture (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Toxic shock syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)