What is infective endocarditis?
Infective endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, most often the heart valves. Bacteria (and occasionally fungi) enter the bloodstream and settle on a damaged or replaced valve, forming a growth that can damage the valve and send infected material to other organs. It is a serious condition that needs hospital treatment.
Who is at risk?
- People with damaged, repaired or replaced heart valves
- People with certain congenital heart defects
- Anyone who has had infective endocarditis before
- People who inject drugs
- People with implanted cardiac devices in some situations
Symptoms
- Fever and chills
- Persistent tiredness and poor appetite
- Breathlessness
- Weight loss over weeks
- Occasionally stroke-like symptoms, joint pains or tiny skin changes
When to seek care
Fever together with breathlessness, chest pain, weakness of an arm or leg, or confusion needs urgent hospital assessment — call your local emergency services. Fever in someone with a known valve problem or valve replacement should never be ignored.
How is it diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis relies on blood cultures (growing the germ from blood samples) and an echocardiogram. Treatment means several weeks of intravenous antibiotics in hospital, chosen to match the germ. If the valve is severely damaged, aortic valve surgery or mitral valve surgery may be needed.
Prevention
Good dental hygiene matters most. Tell your doctor and dentist about any heart valve problem or valve surgery before dental or surgical procedures, and ask whether you need antibiotics beforehand — recommendations differ from person to person.
Related: valvular heart diseases · aortic valve surgery