Endocarditis
Infection of the Heart

What is endocarditis?
Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining or valves of your heart. In addition to damaging your heart, the infection can travel in your blood to other organs and tissues including your brain, lungs or kidneys.

How does it happen?
Bacteria get into your bloodstream and travel to your heart. One way that bacteria get into the blood is by using needles that aren't sterile. Another way is by injecting through skin that has not been thoroughly cleaned. Don't re-use needles, even your own. Used needles can easily pick up bacteria that are all around us, all the time.

Even if a new, sterile needle is used, bacteria from the skin can get pushed into your veins. Before using a needle, wash your skin carefully with soap and hot water. Then wipe the area with alcohol pads.

What are the symptoms of endocarditis?
The main symptom is a fever that lasts a long time – up to a week or longer. Other symptoms may include tiredness, feeling lousy, soaking sweats at night, blood in your urine, stomach pain, skin rashes, or painful lumps in your hands. The symptoms might show up in a couple of days, but also might take a couple of weeks. If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to a doctor or nurse right away. Symptoms may not mean endocarditis, but you should protect yourself and find out just what is going on. Don't delay!

How do I know if I have it?
See your doctor. There are special blood tests that can find bacteria in the blood. Other tests, such as x-rays and urine tests, can help tell if your heart is involved. These are fairly simple tests, but they require special equipment and are often done in the hospital. They can usually give an answer within a couple of days.

How is it treated?
Treatment usually means 2-4 weeks in the hospital. Antibiotics are given directly into the bloodstream. Chances of a cure are very good if it's caught early. Sometimes it may be necessary to replace heart valves once the infection has been cleared.

How can I avoid it?
Be as careful as possible when using needles. Use clean water to mix drugs or rinse needles. Wash your hands and the injection site well. Use plenty of hot, soapy water. Then use alcohol pads to clean the injection site. Don't lick your skin in the area where you use needles. And don't lick the needle. Normal bacteria in the mouth can cause endocarditis if they get into the blood. Drug injectors are at a very high risk of endocarditis. Even if you've been very careful with needles and cleaning, be aware of the problem. Go to your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms.