Symptoms of Bacterial Endocarditis

Symptoms vary from mild to severe, depending on:

• The bacteria causing the infection
• The amount of bacteria in the bloodstream
• The extent of structural heart defects
• Your body's ability to fight infection
• Your overall health

The symptoms that can begin within two weeks of the bacteria entering the bloodstream include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Malaise
• Unexplained weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Little red dots on the skin, inside the mouth, and/or under the nails
• Bumps on the fingers and toes

Note: The first symptom may be caused by a piece of the infected heart growth breaking off . This can include a stroke or other complication to another organ.