ENDOCARDITIS:

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. It is caused by an infection and usually involves the heart valves. Endocarditis is characterized by lesions, known as vegetations, which attach to the inside of the heart. Endocarditis can damage your heart and can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications. It can develop quickly or slowly.

Symptoms vary depending on the bacteria or fungi causing the infection. Some of the signs and symptoms of endocarditis include fever, chills, aching muscles, chest pains, sweating, malaise, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, enlarged spleen, flu-like feeling, cardiac murmur, heart failure, coughing, headache, shortness of breath or panting, swelling of abdomen and limbs, weakness and broken blood vessels in the eyes and in the skin.