Viral Pericarditis Treatment in India

Sneha Garcia, a 28-year-old high school...

Sneha Garcia, a 28-year-old high school biology teacher and avid runner, began experiencing sharp, stabbing chest pain that worsened when she lay down or took deep breaths. Initially dismissing it as muscle strain from a new workout, the pain became debilitating, accompanied by a low-grade fever and constant fatigue that forced her to take a leave of absence. After a trip to the ER, an echocardiogram revealed a significant pericardial effusion, fluid around her heart, caused by viral pericarditis. Her cardiologist, Dr. Evans, explained that while usually managed with medication, the amount of fluid was compromising her heart's function and required a pericardiocentesis (draining the fluid with a needle) to prevent cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening complication. Terrified by the words 'heart procedure,' Sneha felt her identity as a healthy, active person shatter. The procedure itself, done under local anesthesia with ultrasound guidance, was pressure-heavy but not painful. The immediate relief from the crushing chest pain was profound. Recovery involved two days in the hospital for monitoring and a several-week course of anti-inflammatory drugs. Emotionally, the journey was from fear and vulnerability, worrying she'd never run again, to immense gratitude and a new patience with her body. She returned to teaching part-time within three weeks, with a deeper empathy for her students facing health challenges, and a cautious plan to return to running.