Endocarditis

[jeffsimon]

I'm a 77 year old male. One year after a successful replacement organic heart valve replacement I suddenly succumbed to Endocarditis earlier this year. The symptoms were similar to a cold i.e. raised temperature, feeling out-of-sorts, etc. Luckily I saw a doctor who detected a heart murmur and referred me to A&E . After the result of a blood test I was immediately admitted into hospital and placed on an antibiotic intravenous drip. I was in hospital for some 7 days and then had further antibiotic intravenous treatment a home for a further two weeks. Luckily I had caught the infection very early and made a good recovery. Obviously anybody who has had a replacement heart valve is more likely to pick up such an infection than the average person. Does this mean that from now on I have to have an immediate check-up at the doctor every time I have what appears to be a slight cold or chill which would normally be shaken-off within a week?

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[Mary_Janet]

I after I had endocarditis two years ago , it was stressed to me by various medical and nursing staff that I was to take any temperatures seriously and not ignore them. So far ,the only temperatures I have had I could put down to simple colds which have been short lived. I am much more wary of mixing with people with colds and flu as I really don't want to have endocarditis again. I take a daily multivitamin don't know if it helps but it's worth a try.

[jeffsimon in reply to Mary_Janet]

Hi Mary_Janet - Thank you for your response-- I think you are taking a very sensible attitude to your situation-- I think all people with our history have to be extra careful.