Endocarditis pertains to infection of endocardium, a thin lining of the heart. Infection can occur through micro-organisms that invade your body in any form. Not all the people are prone to develop endocarditis but only people with damaged heart or repaired heart valves would develop this infection. If left untreated for long term, endocarditis can become life threatening. Suitable antibiotics are given to destroy bacterial infection and surgery is the choice only if the heart valves are severely damaged.
Symptoms :
Signs of endocardial infection would begin only after a week or two. Initially the person would have flu like symptoms with fever and tiredness. Shortly he would develop high fever with chills, fatigue, loss of weight (unexplained), pain in the joints, bleeding of fingernails, night sweats, persistent cough and pinkish spots on the skin. In severe cases patients may develop complications like heart failure, stroke, and abnormal heart rhythm.
Causes :
Germs that gain entry into your body can accidentally enter into blood which would then move into your heart damaging heart valves and tissues. Bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms are the root cause for endocarditis. For some people bacteria present in mouth or throat can enter the blood causing complications. Gum infection or any sexually transmitted infection can also enter into blood. People who are in hospital for long term and using catheters are prone to develop bacterial infection. Infection can also spread through contaminated needles or syringes. Certain types of dental procedures can allow bacteria into your bloodstream.
Risk Factors :
People with healthy heart would not develop endocarditis. You are at risk of developing this infection if you have had earlier infections, if you have undergone hemodialysis or similar procedure, if you have damaged valves in your heart, if you are born with heart defect and if you are using illicit drugs through unsterilized needles. People who have had heart attack earlier, who have undergone bypass surgery, who have mitral valve prolapsed and who are with stent have very low risk for developing endocarditis. In rare cases endocarditis can cause stroke, organ damage and even heart failure if left untreated for long.