Be careful! A "cold" may be fulminant myocarditis

This is the 5008th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

Tiantian is a travel blogger. This time she set off for Qinghai again. She had some cold symptoms before leaving, but she didn't take it seriously. As the altitude got higher and higher, the symptoms became more and more serious. However, her fans urged her to update every day. She persisted for another day until she felt chest tightness, shortness of breath, fever, and even breathless when talking. She finally felt scared and immediately went to the local hospital for treatment. As soon as she arrived at the emergency department, she was admitted to the intensive care unit and diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis. Even she couldn't believe that all this happened to her. How could the cold she had always thought was almost fatal?

1. What is fulminant myocarditis?

Fulminant Myocarditis (FM) is a clinical syndrome caused by sudden and severe diffuse myocardial inflammation. Its main characteristics are rapid onset and rapid progression, which can lead to cardiogenic shock and even sudden death. In the early stage, FM is very hidden, and the symptoms are very similar to those of a cold, with symptoms such as body aches, runny nose, headache, and fever, which can easily be mistaken for a cold. Patients will soon develop heart failure or severe arrhythmias, and may be accompanied by multiple organ failures such as lung, liver, and kidney. It often affects young and middle-aged people.

2. Causes of fulminant myocarditis

1. Infectious factors

Viral infection: It is the main infectious cause of fulminant myocarditis, among which coxsackievirus, echovirus, influenza virus, adenovirus and other viruses are considered to be the main pathogenic viruses.

Bacterial and parasitic infections: Although relatively rare, they may also lead to the occurrence of fulminant myocarditis.

2. Non-infectious factors

Autoimmune diseases : Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis may trigger the immune system to attack the myocardial tissue, leading to fulminant myocarditis.

Allergic reactions and toxin exposure : Contact with allergens, foreign antigens and other sensitizing substances, as well as taking toxic drugs, heavy metal poisoning and other factors may cause serious damage to myocardial cells and trigger fulminant myocarditis.

Genetic factors : Certain genetic factors may increase an individual's susceptibility to myocarditis.

3. Predisposing factors

Factors such as overwork, mental stress, irrational diet, excessive drinking, etc. may induce the onset of myocarditis. Certain drugs or drug allergies may also lead to the onset of fulminant myocarditis.

3. Why are myocarditis and colds related?

Viruses are everywhere. When the human body's immunity is weakened, the virus will take advantage of the situation and invade the respiratory system, which is a cold. When the virus flows from the blood through the heart, if it attacks the myocardial cells, causing localized or diffuse acute or chronic myocardial lesions, this is myocarditis.

4. Prevention of fulminant myocarditis

1. Correct the causes and predisposing factors

If you already have a viral infection, such as an upper respiratory tract infection or a gastrointestinal infection, you must actively seek treatment and not take it lightly.

2. Enhance physical fitness

Ensure high-quality sleep, avoid overwork, and choose appropriate sports activities such as running, cycling, etc. to enhance physical fitness. Keep a good mood and pay attention to relaxing your mind.

3. Maintain good living habits

Pay attention to personal hygiene and the hygiene of your living environment.

4. Improve nutrition

Pay attention to eating easily digestible foods rich in protein and vitamins.

5. Pay attention to the high incidence season

The peak season for myocarditis is spring, when people are more likely to develop symptoms such as colds, so people need to be vigilant and reduce the chance of developing myocarditis in this season.

5. Seeking Medical Treatment

You can go to the emergency department or cardiology clinic for treatment.

Emergency Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University

Written by: Zhang Ming, head nurse

Supervisor: Chief Physician Pei Honghong