2023-08-28 15:29:57
Each year in France, nearly 1,300 people are affected by endocarditis, a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart. The most common symptoms range from night sweats to swollen feet. But be careful because one of the signs of this pathology might also be observed on the hands.
So if you notice red or purple marks on your palms or fingers, you may want to seek advice from a GP. And the sooner the better because the disease can progress very quickly, especially in a certain category of people. Indeed, it may be easier for bacteria to evade the immune system in patients who have an artificial heart valve, congenital heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, damaged heart valves, or those who have had endocarditis in the past.
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Flu-like symptoms
Note that early symptoms of endocarditis are similar to the flu and include high temperature, chills, headache, joint and muscle pain. Left untreated, the infection damages the heart valves and disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart. But let the most anxious be reassured: this disease almost never occurs in people whose heart has no problem.
Generally, endocarditis is treated with a course of antibiotics given by infusion. Some patients may also have surgery to repair or replace a damaged valve or to drain an abscess.
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