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Pericarditis is an infection of the pericardium, which is a membrane that surrounds the heart; it is caused by bacteria.

Answer

A small percentage of pericarditis is caused by a bacterial infection. Usually, the inflammation is caused by a virus. It can also be caused by a fungus. In most cases, the cause is unknown.

Pericarditis may also occur in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, kidney failure, leukemia, HIV, or AIDS.

Other non-infection causes are:

heart attack

cancer that has spread from a nearby tumor

radiation treatment for some types of cancer

injury to your chest, esophagus, or heart

certain types of medicine which suppress your immune system

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9y ago

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