What infection is a life-threatening inflammation of the inner lining of your heart's chambers?

Endocarditis is inflammation of your heart's inner lining, called the endocardium. It's usually caused by bacteria. When the inflammation is caused by infection, the infection is called infective endocarditis. Endocarditis is uncommon in people with healthy hearts.

The symptoms of endocarditis aren’t always severe, and they may develop slowly over time. In the early stages of endocarditis, the symptoms are similar to many other illnesses. This is why many cases go undiagnosed.

Many of the symptoms are similar to cases of the flu or other infections, such as pneumonia. However, some people experience severe symptoms that appear suddenly. These symptoms may be due to inflammation or the associated damage it causes.

The main cause of endocarditis is an overgrowth of bacteria. Although these bacteria normally live on the inside or outside surfaces of your body, you might bring them inside to your bloodstream by eating or drinking.

More Info: www.healthline.com

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11 Comments

Christopher Skinner

Mainly, the cause is Stretococcus Viridans which can enter via rotten teeth / dental caries. Other causes are Scabies and hookworm which lead to a secondary streptococcal disease, on other occassions, the sub-acute bacterial endocarditis is an auto-immune response resulting in Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a disease associated with poverty and malnutrition and very common in remote indigenous populations that are impoverished especially in Canada, the US and Australia. Antonio Vivaldi, the "red priest" suffered from RHD. It once had a pre-dilection for Red Heads who tend to suffer from Genetic/Aoto Immune diseases at a higher rate than the General population. The original poverty caused disease was mainly younger people with "Native"or natural Heart Valve infection with streptococcal overgrowth bu during the last 30 years we are seeing more "Health Intervention" acquired staphylococcal infection affecting implanted artificial valves in older people. The disease is amenable to antibiotics but some forms of staphlococcus are resistant to all available anti-biotics, whic causes fatal outcomes. In those with Stretococcal infection Penicillin and Cephalosporins remain the mainstay of anti-infective treatment. However, Hygeine and Diet must also be improved.

Lawanta

timwhitestevens, I'm sad for your loss 💔

timwhitestevens

My older brother, the last of my siblings, died 7 months ago from endocarditis.

John W Shreve

Kaye , So glad you're well.

John W Shreve

lls, They still haven't figured Valley Fever out, have they?

John W Shreve

Christopher Skinner, Weren't young Alaskans among the victims of this deadly disease?

Anita Clark Morton

The only one I'd heard of

Princess

Christopher Skinner, great explanation....thank you

lls

Kaye , Bless you! :) Medical help is everything! My maternal grandmother had either rheumatic fever or "Valley Fever" and had some heart muscle damage, as a result...but, she lived a pretty full life!