K.N.O.W. Home Health - ENDOCARDITIS

ENDOCARDITIS

What is Endocarditis?

Endocarditis is an infection in the inner lining of your heart. This lining is called the endocardium. The infection usually happens when bacteria or germs get into your blood and travel to your heart.

Causes

Endocarditis is often caused by bacteria that enter your body through:

Dental work or gum disease
Surgery or medical procedures
Infected skin or wounds
IV drug use (using needles to inject drugs)

Some people have a higher risk of getting endocarditis, like those with:

Heart valve problems or artificial valves
Congenital (birth) heart defects
Past heart infections

Symptoms

You may have one or more of these symptoms:

Fever or chills
Tiredness or weakness
Night sweats
Muscle or joint pain
Chest pain or shortness of breath
Cough
Loss of appetite or weight
Swelling in feet, legs, or belly
Tiny red or purple spots on the skin, inside the mouth, or under the nails

Always tell your nurse or doctor if you feel sick or something feels “off.”

Treatment

Endocarditis is a serious illness that usually needs:

IV antibiotics (medicine given through a vein for several weeks)
Hospital stay to monitor your heart and body
Sometimes surgery to fix or remove damaged heart valves

You must finish all your antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.

Diet and Precautions

Eat healthy foods to help your body fight infection.
Avoid high-salt foods if you have swelling or heart problems.
Keep your mouth clean—brush and floss daily.
Take antibiotics before certain dental or medical procedures if your doctor tells you to.
Don’t use IV drugs.
Let your care team know about any cuts, sores, or infections.

When to Call the Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call your home health nurse or doctor if you:

Have a fever, chills, or feel more tired than usual
Notice swelling, pain, or redness at your IV site
Feel dizzy, weak, or short of breath
Miss a dose of medicine or have trouble taking it
Have any signs of a new infection (cough, sore throat, rash)

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Go to the emergency room right away if you:

Have chest pain or trouble breathing
Faint or feel like you’re going to pass out
Have slurred speech or weakness in your face, arms, or legs
Can’t wake up or respond normally
Have very fast or very slow heartbeat

Patient Homework / Assessment: True or False Please correct all False statements

True or False: Endocarditis is an infection in the lining of the heart.
True or False: You can get endocarditis from bacteria entering your body.
True or False: It is safe to skip doses of your antibiotics once you feel better.
True or False: A fever or chills can be a sign of endocarditis.
True or False: IV antibiotics are often used to treat endocarditis.
True or False: Endocarditis is not dangerous and usually goes away on its own.
True or False: Good dental care can help prevent endocarditis.
True or False: You should go to the ER if you have chest pain and trouble breathing.
True or False: Endocarditis can be caused by IV drug use.
True or False: You only need to take antibiotics for a few days with endocarditis.
True or False: Shortness of breath is not a symptom of endocarditis.
True or False: Tell your doctor before you have dental work if you’ve had endocarditis.
True or False: You should ignore small cuts or wounds if you have heart problems.
True or False: People with heart valve issues are at higher risk for endocarditis.
True or False: Swelling in your legs or feet can be a symptom of endocarditis.
True or False: You should keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing.
True or False: You should always finish all your antibiotics.
True or False: Feeling tired or weak can be a sign of endocarditis.
True or False: If you feel worse or miss a dose, you should tell your nurse or doctor.
True or False: Endocarditis can damage heart valves and may need surgery.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you had any fevers, chills, feeling very tired, or trouble catching your breath?

2. Activity Impact/SAFETY:

Do you get chest pain, a fast heartbeat, or feel dizzy when doing your daily activities?

3. Treatment Adherence:

Are you taking your antibiotics the way the doctor told you, without skipping any doses?

4. Preventive Measures:

Do you let your doctor or dentist know you have endocarditis so you can get antibiotics before certain procedures?

5. Lab/Monitoring Question:

Have you gone to your follow-up visits for blood tests and heart check-ups (like an ultrasound of the heart)?