High degree of suspicion is needed for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment at the earliest is very important and may be life-saving in many cases.
2-D echo is the most important diagnostic modality. Blood cultures should be sent for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis before starting any antibiotics, to know the infecting organism.
Infective endocarditis is a critical infection and needs intensive management. Patients need to be hospitalized and started on injectable antibiotics. The duration of treatment is longer as compared to other febrile illnesses. It depends on the infecting organism, presence of artificial valve/other intracardiac devices and response to treatment, and may last from weeks to months.
If not treated in time and with appropriate antibiotics, infection may spread via bloodstream to different organs of the body.
Medical treatment alone may not be curative for some patients and surgical repair/removal of the infected valve may be needed.