Bacterial Endocarditis | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of bacterial endocarditis?
The most common sign of bacterial endocarditis in children with a congenital heart defect is a fever that occurs after a procedure in the mouth, intestinal tract, or urinary tract. In some cases, the infection may occur without a procedure.
Other symptoms may include:
- Poor appetite
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Rash
- Weight loss
What causes bacterial endocarditis?
Bacterial endocarditis can occur when bacteria enter the body and grow on the heart lining. In children and adults with congenital heart disease, this can happen during one of the following procedures:
- Dental procedures (including teeth cleaning)
- Surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids (tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy)
- Examination of the respiratory passageways with an instrument known as a rigid bronchoscope
- Certain types of surgery on the respiratory passageways, the gastrointestinal tract, or the urinary tract
- Gallbladder or prostate surgery
Bacterial Endocarditis | Diagnosis & Treatments
How is bacterial endocarditis diagnosed?
Bacterial endocarditis is usually diagnosed with a blood test. Other tests might include:
- Blood test
- Echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound)
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Can bacterial endocarditis be prevented?
There are ways to help prevent bacterial endocarditis in children and adults with congenital heart defects:
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, and have regular visits to the dentist for professional cleaning and check-ups.
- Taking an oral antibiotic before any procedure that could put the person at risk for this infection.
- Follow your cardiologist recommendations before any procedures.
How is bacterial endocarditis treated?
In many cases, the infection can be treated with strong antibiotics given through an IV over the course of several weeks. But because bacterial endocarditis may cause severe damage to the heart lining and heart valves before the infection can be controlled, some patients may require surgery.
How we care for bacterial endocarditis
Here at the Boston Children’s Hospital Benderson Family Heart Center, our expert team provides inpatient and outpatient care for patients with congenital heart disease. The treatment for bacterial endocarditis is both medical and surgical, and requires a coordinated team of clinicians from various specialties to ensure the most successful outcome. When surgery is required for valve infection, our surgeons specialize in valve repair and avoiding replacement whenever possible. We repair valves that are traditionally repaired at other centers.
