Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves made by a bacteria circulating in blood stream and may causes fever & shaking chills.

 

Diagnosis & Treatment:

 If you have a fever, shaking chills or evidence of travelling clots in your body call 000 and ask for help. In emergency room a doctor would request a chest xray, take your blood for culture and perform other necessary tests including echocardiogram. You may receive appropriate IV (through the vein) antibiotics as well as fluid. Endocarditis usually requires a minimum of 4 weeks IV antibiotics and may cause heart failure, infected travelling clots to the brain, spleen, lung and other organs. In some severe cases heart surgery and valve replacement is the main therapy. 

 

Transmission:

Bacterial endocarditis is not usually transmittable.

 

Prevention:

Washing your hands with soap and water, or use of alcohol hand rubs can decrease the chance of catching the diseases.