20 Symptoms of Endocarditis to Look Out For

5. Fever And Chills

Most individuals affected by endocarditis experience a fever and chills. There are two main reasons why this commonly appears in individuals with infections like endocarditis caused by harmful pathogens. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites have different preferences when it comes to their environment and how well they can thrive in it. Some pathogens cannot perform their reproductive and colonization functions in a hyperthermic environment. The body implements this defense mechanism to all pathogens that are in the process of making the body their new home. Not only does this help create an environment where the pathogen has trouble reproducing, but it has also been shown to have certain influences on the immune system components themselves. White blood cells called T-cells are part of the immune system and work to destroy other cells that are malignant or infected by pathogens. Recent studies have proven a hyperthermic environment enhances the activity of these T-cells. It is the immune system signaling the brain to raise the core temperature of the body that causes patients to have a fever and chills.

6. Pale Skin

Endocarditis is a type of infection where bacteria attach to the inner valves of an affected individual's heart muscle. A heart valve is a flap of tissue that opens and closes to regulate blood flow in the upper and lower chambers of the heart. An infection that develops on the leaflets of these valves in the heart can cause them to become inflamed and unable to do their job properly. When the valves do not open and close when they should, the flow of blood through the individual's heart becomes impaired. As a result of this malfunction, blood flows backward or regurgitates into the prior chamber or blood can experience a decrease in flow when the leaflets of the valve become too stiff to open all the way. When the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood through the body properly, the individual will experience a pale color to their skin because of the way oxygen-poor blood reflects light.