Is That Heart Murmur Dangerous? Key Signs of Infective Endocarditis

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Fever is the most common symptom of IE, occurring in up to 90% of cases. It's often accompanied by chills, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms may include fatigue, headache, body aches, night sweats, and shortness of breath. While these symptoms can be vague, persistent fever with no clear cause should raise suspicion.

Physical Signs That May Indicate IE

A new or changing heart murmur is found in about 85% of IE patients. This sound, heard through a stethoscope, suggests abnormal blood flow through the heart valves. Other signs include tiny red spots called petechiae on the skin or in the mouth, and splinter hemorrhages - dark lines under the fingernails. While not definitive, these signs warrant further investigation.

Rare But Telltale Clues

Some uncommon signs are highly suggestive of IE. These include Janeway lesions (painless red spots on palms/soles), Osler nodes (tender bumps on fingers/toes), and Roth spots (bleeding spots in the eyes). While rare, the presence of these signs should prompt immediate medical evaluation for possible IE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

While many IE symptoms are non-specific, persistent unexplained fever or heart murmur changes should never be ignored.

Related Articles

• Blood Cultures: The Key to Unlocking Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis
• Seeing Inside the Heart: How Echocardiography Detects Infective Endocarditis
• Are You at Risk for Infective Endocarditis? Key Factors to Know
• Cracking the Code: The Duke Criteria for Diagnosing Infective Endocarditis

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