There are numerous ways that bacteria can get into the bloodstream to cause infection of the heart valve. Something as minor as a small cut can enable bacteria that normally live on the skin to get into the bloodstream. In some cases, this can occur during a dental procedure. In hospitalized patients, the IVs and catheters that are often inserted into the veins may be the portal through which bacteria get into the blood. For many endocarditis patients, however, no clear explanation is ever found regarding how the bacteria first got into the bloodstream.
Fungal infection is a rare cause of endocarditis.
This occurs most commonly in patients with compromised immune systems, such as those with AIDS or those who have undergone chemotherapy. Symptoms Endocarditis can cause a wide variety of symptoms, particularly in the earlier stages of infection. Patients may experience such general symptoms as fevers, chills, fatigue, weight loss, muscle aches, and sweating. These general, nonspecific, symptoms can make it hard both for the patient and the doctor to recognize endocarditis. As infection progresses, other symptoms may develop.