What is endocarditis? How is it treated?
Endocarditis is a severe form of infection of the heart lining and is commonly caused by bacteria. Effective treatment of endocarditis requires the injection of intravenous antibiotics on a long-term basis.
In rare cases, fungi may be the cause of endocarditis. This infection may lead to permanent heart damage and may require major surgery to resolve the condition. It commonly occurs in individuals with congenital heart defects such as aortic valve stenosis.
The risk of endocarditis is higher in people with prosthetic heart valves. The symptoms of endocarditis include
If any of these symptoms arise, it is better to seek immediate medical attention. Early treatment minimizes the damage to the heart.
If there is any damage to the heart caused by endocarditis, surgical repair will be required. You will be referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon for these procedures.
Source: https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/