Endocarditis

Usually resulting from bacteria, fungus, or another pathogen, endocarditis is a major infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) and heart valves. It starts when germs enter the bloodstream and cling to injured cardiac tissues, triggering inflammation and maybe problems. Those at more risk are those with prosthetic valves, congenital heart abnormalities, compromised immune systems, or heart valve illnesses.
Fever, chills, tiredness, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, and inexplicable weight loss are among the endocarditis symptoms that could strike slowly or quickly. Severe cases can result in heart valve damage, heart failure, or embolism—wherein contaminated clots migrate to other organs and cause organ damage or stroke.
Along with additional imaging procedures, diagnosis calls for blood cultures to pinpoint the infectious organism, echocardiograms to evaluate heart valve damage. Usually including extended intravenous antibiotic treatment; in extreme cases, treatment may call for surgery to replace or repair damaged heart valves.
Good oral hygiene, avoiding intravenous drugs, and prophylactic antibiotics for high-risk patients prior to particular medical or dental operations constitute part of preventive strategies. Prevention of life-threatening consequences and guarantee of better heart health depend on early identification and treatment.