Why some patients need to take antibiotics as prophylaxis against bacterial endocarditis prior to some dental or surgical procedures.
Bacterial endocarditis is a rare but life threatening disease.
Primary prevention is very important because of the substantial morbidity and mortality that can result from this infection. Endocarditis usually develops in individuals with heart murmurs and artificial valves. Only certain types of bacteria can affect th heart valves. The bacteria may reach the valve when the blood is contaminated. The contamination may occur spontaneously or may complicate a focal infection like urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or skin infection.