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He is suffering from a heart mumur accompanied by endocarditis. What is the likely way to contact endocarditis

Mike S - 2008-04-09 19:08:12 - Heart Diseases

My friend is a drug addict and he goes to the doctor and is informed that he is suffering from a heart mumur accompanied by endocarditis. What is the most likely way he contacted endocarditis? Thank you He is an IV drug addict.

Best Answer:

IV drugs user have a very good chance of getting endocardtis compared to other individuals in the population (mind you endocardtis is very uncommon). He must have acquires staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci or pneumococci infection to one of his heart valve. You did not mention about any heart problems that he might have had proir to aquiring the disease so infection by IV is the most likely cause. Just remind him to continue taking his antibiotics as long as his doctor tell him to do so. And no heroin or cocaine. Alcohol in moderation. Tom P. BSc (biochemistry), M.D.(neurosurgery)

Answers:

The most likely way he contracted endocarditis is from using a contaminated needle or syringe. Endocarditis is a risk for any IV drug abuser. There are other possible causes but in the absence of pre-existing heart valve abnormalities or damaged heart tissue this would be the most likely cause.

if he's an iv drug user, he most likely got it from a contaminated needle.

IV drugs user have a very good chance of getting endocardtis compared to other individuals in the population (mind you endocardtis is very uncommon). He must have acquires staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci or pneumococci infection to one of his heart valve. You did not mention about any heart problems that he might have had proir to aquiring the disease so infection by IV is the most likely cause. Just remind him to continue taking his antibiotics as long as his doctor tell him to do so. And no heroin or cocaine. Alcohol in moderation. Tom P. BSc (biochemistry), M.D.(neurosurgery)