Question 1

why are iv drug users more susceptible to endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria in blood: One's skin is a normal barrier to infection. Iv drug users break the skin frequently. In addition, if the needles and/or skin are dirty, bacteria can be injected directly into the blood stream and get to the heart. Also, IV drug users often have compromised immunity.

Question 2

i am an intravenous drug user, am i more susceptible to getting endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Definitely: Iv drug users are much more likely to get endocarditis, a life-threatening infection of heart valves that is difficult to treat. Skin bacteria enter the bloodstream during injection and attach to the valves, especially on the right side of the heart where blood enters from the body. The staph on the skin are particularly dangerous endocarditis organisms to which IV users are susceptible.

Question 3

i was diagnosed with endocarditis the doctor asked me if i'm an iv drug user. i told him no... what are other causes of that?

Accepted Answer

Many, many things: You should have an echocardiogram, if you have not had one already.  Most people who get endocarditis (an infection - usually bacterial but may be fungal and others) have a previously damaged valve, sometimes from rheumatic fever or mitral valve prolapse and then get germs into the bloodstream, sometimes from a dental procedure or even brushing teeth, particularly if there is bad gum disease.

Question 4

i had endocarditis  said to be caused by iv drug use could the mytral vale alreadfy been scared causing the infection to be attracted to it birth othe?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Mitral valve "scared from birth" would be an unlikely scenario. If so, then your pediatrician would likely have noticed a murmur and told you parents. Iv drug use is a more likely cause.

Question 5

does a cough from endocarditis go away  if its not treated?

Accepted Answer

Endocarditis: Endocarditis, an infection of a heart valve, doesn't usually cause a cough by itself unless there is associated congestive heart failure or embolism to the lungs. Clearing up these complications could, in theory, get rid of the cough. I have experience with several cases of endocarditis, but cough wasn't part of the symptoms. Others may have more experience with it,however.

Question 6

what is endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Infection: This is infection inside the heart.  It is is caused by bacteremia which gives the bacteria an opportunity to seed an area in the heart.  It occurs in areas of the heart with structural abnormalities, like abnormal heart valves.  Iv drug abusers are at particularly increased risk of endocarditis.  Endocarditis can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are  nonspecific.

Question 7

what causes endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria + Fungi: A number of microorganisms can cause endocarditis, especially on the valves of the heart.  These occur more commonly on deformed valves.  Iv drug use may cause endocarditis from injected organisms.
Non-infectious endocarditis can occur from autoimmune disorders.

Question 8

how is endocarditis treated?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics: Bacterial endocarditis is usually caused by streptococcus which usually respond to penicillin type antibiotics which are administered intravenously at first.

Question 9

who is at risk for endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Endocarditis risk: Heart valve disease, IV drug abuse, central IV line, dental surgery.

Question 10

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.

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Doctor answers about:

Endocarditis drugs

A member asked:

Why are iv drug users more susceptible to endocarditis?

A member asked:

I am an intravenous drug user, am i more susceptible to getting endocarditis?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with endocarditis the doctor asked me if i'm an iv drug user. i told him no... what are other causes of that?

A member asked:

I had endocarditis said to be caused by iv drug use could the mytral vale alreadfy been scared causing the infection to be attracted to it birth othe?

A member asked:

Does a cough from endocarditis go away if its not treated?

A member asked:

What is endocarditis?

A member asked:

What causes endocarditis?

A member asked:

How is endocarditis treated?

A member asked:

Who is at risk for endocarditis?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of endocarditis?

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