How serious is bacterial endocarditis? Can it be fatal?

Does a small VSD make it more serious?

It is a very serious condition, as stated below:

Any infant, child or adult who has congenital heart disease that has not yet been repaired can develop bacterial endocarditis. Some people who have already had a heart defect repaired may also need to take precautions against bacterial endocarditis for the rest of their lives, while others may no longer need to observe these precautions. Heart problems that put children at risk for developing bacterial endocarditis include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Mitral valve prolapse, an abnormality of the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart that causes backward flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium.
* Prosthetic (artificial) heart valves
* A previous history of endocarditis (even in the absence of other heart disease).
* Complex cyanotic congenital heart disease (due to insufficient oxygen in the blood).
* Surgically constructed systemic pulmonary shunts or conduits.
* Uncorrected conditions such as patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, primum atrial septal defect, coarctation of the aorta and bicuspid aortic valve.
* Acquired valve dysfunction, such as due to rheumatic heart disease or collagen vascular disease.
* Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart muscle that causes impeded blood flow.

Hospitalization is required initially to administer intravenous antibiotics. Long-term, high-dose antibiotic trearment is required to eradicate the bacteria from the vegetations on the valves. Treatment is usually administered for 4-6 weeks, depending on the organism. The chosen antibiotic must be specific for the organism causing the condition. This is determined by the blood culture and the sensitivities tests.

Early treatment of bacterial endocarditis generally has a good outcome. Heart valves may be damaged if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.

If heart failure develops as a result of damaged heart valves, surgery to replace the affected heart valve may be needed.

Check with your cardiologist to see if VSD will effect prognosis.

To answer your question: Yes, a VSD can present additional complications in bacterial endocarditis. While VSD itself is usually a benign condition, the prognosis can be dramatically effected in the presence of endocarditis, which can be a fatal condition. Have your or the patient's doctors discussed closing the VSD? If not, my guess is that the defect is small enough that it shouldn't present any additional issues during the course of the endocarditits, which in this case is the more major concern. Early diagnosis is key to correct treatment and a better prognosis. If recognized early, bacterial endocarditis is very treatable and the majority of patient's do well diagnosed and treated early on in the infection.

Yes it is a very serious thing and can terminate the LIFE ! When it is combine with any heart problem even small VSD as you said it is more dangerous ! Please do not ignore and take full treatment! It is a treatable condition.Always YouRsmE

not that much all you have to do is relax for the days and it will be fine.