11 Unbelievable Reasons Your Kidneys Might Be Throwing a Fit: Glomerulonephritis Edition

2. Bacterial Endocarditis

Bacterial endocarditis occurs when the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium) becomes infected by bacteria. Patients with endocarditis may have fatigue, fever, chills, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Catheter use, dental procedures, tattoo or piercing needles, and intravenous use of illegal drugs could all increase a patient's risk of endocarditis. To diagnose this condition, doctors will perform tests such as an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, a chest x-ray, and a CT scan. Blood tests will be ordered to identify the specific type of bacteria responsible for the infection. If bacterial endocarditis is present, patients typically need to spend at least a week in the hospital to receive high doses of intravenous antibiotics, and these treatments may then be continued on an outpatient basis. If bacterial endocarditis damages the heart valves, surgical intervention to repair or replace the damaged valves could be required.