What Are The Symptoms Of Bacterial Endocarditis?

Adam – In response to Cheryl’s concern for patients knowing about endocarditis, I wanted to add that my Dad also got this infection in March of 2009. It was consistent high blood sugar readings for three plus days that brought him to the emergency room. He is a type 1 diabetic who was able to manage his glucose levels very well on an insulin pump but no matter what he did (including fasting), nothing kept the numbers from rising. We had no idea that this was a sign of an infection but we quickly learned an awful lot.

He had an aortic valve replacement in February and a stent procedure in March prior to the endocardits diagnosis. I could write a book about this topic but my Dad had to undergo a second valve replacement surgery 8 weeks after his first operation. He is a 74 year old survivor who has had to overcome a lot during his recovery (anaphylactic reaction to penicillin, temporary kidney dialysis, 6 weeks in a nursing home upon hospital release to regain independence, back to the hospital to drain fluid from his lung, learning what antibiotics he can and cannot tolerate, anemia and extreme weakness). But thanks be to God his mind has not been affected and he is recovering. He has been home for two months (after having been in the hospital / home for two months) and he started cardiac rehab recently. He has had to overcome a lot but news is encouraging considering the seriousness of endocarditis. From Lori Williams in PA

I have had endocarditis twice. The first time we could not determine the cause. The second time happened because I went to the dentist when I got out of the hospital (In 1968 you had to spend at least five weeks in the hospital in order to take 20 million unitis of pencillin by IV a day) I went to the dentist. I told him that I had just had SBE (Subacute baterical endocrditis, and had spent almont two months in the hospital. He replied “I think that we studied about that in dental school.” He proceeded to clean my teeth without any type of protection. In less than two months I was back in the hospital with endocarditis. This time my aortic valve was damaged so badly that the Dr. said I would have to have my Aortic valve replaced. I was only 26 years old, and in very good physical condition, so it was eight years before I had to have my valve replaced. The Bjork-Shiley valve had just been developed, so Dr. John Kirkland at the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham used it, instead of a cadaver valve that he had planned on using. That was on November 22 1974. Because it is a mechanical valve, I have been on Coumadin every since. I have been very lucky and have not had any real problems with the Coumadin. I would be happy to discuss my Coumadin experience with anyone that is facing a long term course of Coumadin.
As far as the symptoms of endocarditis, They are often very difficult to detect. I spent about four months going to the Doctor with continuious low grade fever, night sweats, fatigue, general discomfort, malaise, and splinters under my finger nails. It was only after I changed doctors (I choose a very young doctor recently out of medical school, and he determined after about 45 minutes of through exam that I had a blood infection. He sent me to Vanderbilt Hospital, where they grew cultures in about three days. I then spent two months in the hospital, the first 20 days flat on my back. I could not even raise my head or get out of bed to go to the bathroom. They changed my linens with me in the bed. I had an IV going 24/7. They did not do a pick line, or a cutdown, but used metal needles. The location of the IV had to be changed every two or three days. I was taking 20 million units of penicillin a day. After I completed the penicillin regiment, I had to spend several more days in the hospital. I had to have physical therapy because I had been so inactive.

I’m a fellow mechanical valve replacement recepient, I have a St. Judes mitral valve and I waundering how your long time battle with coumadin is fairing?

I was born with a congenital disease hyperthrophic cardiomyopathy. At 32 I had open heart to shave the left ventricle wall (septal myoctomy) and as an extra bonus I also had a valve replaced as well. Now I too be take coumadin.

Sincerely, Jennifer Roy of St. Louis
Jennifer Roy of St. Louis

hi
mr.collins can i have your email address? im in line to have valve replacement for second time. this time it is result of endocardities, im very depressed and need to hear a same case experience, thx in advance.
and adam, a question from you..i had mitral valve repaired and aortic valve replaced with a porcine valve, now after endocardities doctors decided to replace both mitral and aortic valves with mechanical valves, but the fact that extremely annoys me is that my tricuspid also is infected and they wanna repair it, what about three valves problem? i dont knw anyone who is in same situation, doctors say dont worry its not serious but i cant trust ..do you have any information about 3 valves replacement? thank you
ps: im 33 and i had my first operation 4 years ago

I read the e-mails with interest but i just want to ask a question. I had been told many years ago that i have a ‘slight’ murmur and whenever doctors listen to my chest for whatever reason i see drs. tend to do a double take but don’t say anything which over the years i have now ignored. What i want to know is i only have some of the symtoms you mention above. I get blood splinters (splinter heamorage) on my nails which is quite painful for a day every now and then. I had quite a stresfull few weeks and suddenly the splinters appeared again together with a kind of dull numbing now continuous pain on the left side of my chest, (L) arm and behind my shoulder blade. I don’t have fever and i don’t think i am anemic. The night sweats i’m also not sure about because i am 51 and night sweats come with the territory. I get tired but i wrote that off to being older now and i don’t get headaches that often but if i do i think it might be because i’m stressed.
Sorry i waffled on but i just want to know whether is should be concerned seeing i do not have all the symptoms only some. (I googled the splinter heamorages i get under my nails – and the result i got was endocarditis) Do you get different types ?
I hope you might be able to give me and answer or sort of idea … Thank you Riana Visser

Hi There,
I am male, 34 years old, in 2010 I was diagnosed with (subacute bacterial endocarditis) streptococcal infection and with bicuspid aortic valve. I was admitted to hospital for 3/weeks received antibiotic via IV and followed by an open heart surgery replacing the Aortic Valve with a tissue vale. I am much better post-op however, I have joint and bone pain for the past 7 months. My operation was in Jan 2010 and the joint/bone pain began in May 2010. Is this a common problem post endocarditis/heart surgery? Has anyone experienced body aches or joint pains post-op?

p.s I have seen and examined by a rheumatologist who said that I don’t have any signs Arthritis and all my blood tests are normal.

Regards
Sargon