HIV induced pericarditis history and symptoms


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

History and symptoms:
The frequency and severity of the symptoms varies with the stage of infection and the degree of pericardial involvement.


 * Majority of the patients may be asymptomatic, presenting with an increase in the cardiac silhouette on chest x-ray.


 * Symptomatic patients present with the following:
 * Chest pain: characteristically sharp and pleuritic in nature, exacerbated by inspiration and relieved by sitting up and leaning forward.
 * breathlessness
 * Malaise
 * Fever
 * Cough
 * Ankle edema and/or ascites