Pericarditis and myocarditis

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Viral pericarditis and myocarditis affect younger age-groups and are often preceded by respiratory tract infection or flulike illness. Pericarditis generally has a benign course that can be treated symptomatically, but myocarditis may progress to congestive cardiomyopathy and at times cause sudden death. Dr Houghton discusses the natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of the two diseases.