Question 1

what are the symptoms of endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Fever, rash, others: Endocarditis (infectious) is when the heart and heart valves become colonized by bacteria. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, small hemorrhages under the finger nails, and  tender left flank from spleen enlargement. Along with these and most diagnostic are the presence of abnormal heart signs or murmurs.

Question 2

how would you know if you have endocarditis ?

Accepted Answer

Fever and murmer: Endocarditis refers to infection of any or all four heart valves. It can be bacterial, fungal or not an infection at all but an autoimmune  disorder. It is generally recognized when its discovered a patient with a fever also has a new heart murmur caused by vegetations, lumpy growths on the heart valves that have been seeded by bacteria that has gained entry into the usually sterile bloodstream

Question 3

how bad is infective endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

It can be bad...: can cause death, heart failue with valve not working, sepsis, stroke or other end organ issues with septic emboli (infected vegetation migrating through blood), etc. Hence, need a concerted team of docs to treat for best outcome. Serious but lots of patients survive.

Question 4

how harmful is infective endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Potentially fatal: Infectious (bacterial) endocarditis is typically fatal without treatment, and occasionally fatal even with appropriate treatment.  Typically, six weeks of IV antibiotics are required.  Sometimes, the heart is damaged and requires surgical repair, and sometimes, the infection can not be cleared from the heart without surgery (abscess).

Question 5

is swelling a symptom of endocarditis ?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where: It depends, swelling of your legs maybe could be a clinical manifestation of heart failure due to endocarditis, but swelling of your eyelids or arms maybe not. It is important to seek medical attention for any change like this.

Question 6

would a cough from endocarditis go away?

Accepted Answer

Most likely: assuming the lungs themselves are not inflamed or infected. Endocarditis is serious and may require prolonged antibiotic therapy if bacterial,often 2-3+ weeks for resolution. Have your physician obtain a chest x-ray and CT scan of your chest.

Question 7

how long does subacute endocarditis last?

Accepted Answer

Subacute endocarditi: read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subacute_bacterial_endocarditis

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endocarditis/basics/definition/con-20022403

Question 8

is appetite loss a symptom of endocarditis ?

Accepted Answer

Possible. : Endocarditis is an infection and that can cause appetite changes. The infection is of valves and this can cause valvular dysfunction and heart failure, heart murmurs, arrythmias.  Blood clots can develop on the valve and then be sent into to blood system. Stroke and other systemic signs of clot possible. However, early infection can be asymptomatic and associated with constitutional symptoms only.

Question 9

does endocarditis have a high mortality rate?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Very high, especially if left untreated or treated late. It is key to get diagnosed early and then complete treatment in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Question 10

do pacifiers increase chance of endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

No: Infective endocarditis occurs when bacteria gain access to the blood stream and then infect cardiac structures. Use of a pacifier would not be expected to increase the risk. The best way to keep risk low is to practice good dental hygiene.

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