Fortunately, antibiotics are most effective in treating bacterial endocarditis. What It Is Bacterial endocarditis occurs when any of a variety of bacteria reaches and infects the heart's valves. The inflamed valves become thickened and may adhere to surrounding tissue. The damaged valves may also produce lesions that can break off into the bloodstream and block the normal flow of oxygen rich blood to the rest of the body. Since bacterial endocarditis is a common complication of rheumatic fever, preventing rheumatic fever itself is most important.
Rheumatic fever is typically a childhood disease that is caused by a streptococcal infection.
Whenever your child has a sore throat, swollen glands, or difficulty swallowing, call your doctor immediately. Streptococcal infections are easily treated with antibiotics. The best advice for those who may be at risk for bacterial endocarditis is to become health-conscious and increase your resistance to common diseases. That means eating right, getting adequate rest and exercise, not smoking, controlling cholesterol levels and blood pressure, managing stress, and using good personal hygiene. In other words, help yourself stay healthy.