Symptoms and Complications
Endocarditis can start slowly and gradually, over the course of several
months. This is called subacute infective endocarditis. Symptoms
include:
- running a low-grade fever (less than 103°F)
- muscle and joint aches and pains
- weight loss
- weakness
- night sweats
- nausea
- lack of appetite
If the disease goes untreated for some time, further symptoms may appear:
- red spots on the body's trunk
- red eyes
- club fingers and toes
- heart murmurs
- paleness (pallor), especially in extremities
- internal bleeding under fingernails
At other times, infection progresses very quickly. This is known as
acute endocarditis, and causes:
- high fever
- chills
- shortness of breath
- rapid or irregular heartbeat
- coughing up of blood
- abdominal pain
- septicemia (system shock caused by a general infection)
Although most people with infectious endocarditis have a fever, older people
and those with long-lasting (chronic) conditions like kidney
disease or congestive heart failure
may not.