Endocarditis is a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium). It's most commonly caused by bacteria entering the blood and travelling to the heart. Although the heart is usually well protected against infection, it may be easier for bacteria to bypass the immune system in people who have:

• an artificial (prosthetic) heart valve – valve replacement surgery is increasingly being used when people experience narrowing of one of their heart valves
• congenital heart disease – where a person is born with heart defects
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – where the heart muscle cells have enlarged and the walls of the heart chambers thicken
• damaged heart valves – because of infection or heart disease
• had endocarditis before

People who inject drugs are also more likely to develop endocarditis.

Symptoms of endocarditis

The initial symptoms of endocarditis are similar to flu and include:

• a high temperature
• chills
• headache
• joint and muscle pain

Without treatment, the infection damages the heart valves and disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart.

Treating endocarditis

Endocarditis is treated with a course of antibiotics given via a drip. You'll need to be admitted to hospital for this. Some people also need surgery to repair or replace a damaged heart valve or drain any abscesses that develop. Endocarditis is a serious illness, especially if complications develop. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital to improve the outlook for the condition.

Who's affected

Endocarditis is a rare condition in England, even in those with a higher risk. It's more common in older people. But cases of endocarditis have been recorded in children, particularly those born with congenital heart disease.

Although it may sound strange, rates of endocarditis are increasing because of advances in medical care. This is because there's an increasing number of people being treated with valve replacement surgery or surgery to repair congenital heart disease.