Endocarditis in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Discharge
• Inpatient
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Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your child's heart. It may also affect the valves in his or her heart.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child has a seizure.
• Your child has a bad headache, vomiting, or a fever.
• Your child has sudden weakness in an arm or leg, or trouble walking.
• Your child has sudden trouble speaking.
• Your child suddenly cannot use one side of his or her body.
• Your child has severe chest pain.
• Your child has sudden trouble breathing or shortness of breath while lying down.
• Your child's heart is beating faster than usual.
• Your child loses consciousness or cannot be woken.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your child has new or increased swelling in his or her feet or ankles.
• Your child feels dizzy or faints.

Call your child's doctor or cardiologist if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child will not eat or has a poor appetite.
• Your child is weak.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Medicines:

Your child may need any of the following:

• Antibiotics help treat an infection caused by bacteria. Your child may need IV antibiotics for 4 to 8 weeks.
• Antifungals help treat an infection caused by fungus.
• Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Have your child rest as directed:

Some activities may put too much stress on your child's heart. Ask his or her healthcare provider which activities are safe for him or her to do. Also ask when he or she can return to his or her normal activities.

Do not let your older child smoke.

Do not smoke near your child. Keep your child away from others who smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can make it hard to heal from endocarditis. These substances can also increase your child's risk for damage to his or her heart valves. Ask your child's healthcare provider for information if you or your child currently smokes and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your child's healthcare provider before he or she uses these products.

Care for your child's intravenous (IV) catheter:

Your child may go home with an IV catheter. This catheter can be used to give him or her IV antibiotic medicine at home. A home health nurse may give him or her the IV medicine or may teach you how to give the medicine. Ask his or her healthcare provider for information on how to care for his or her IV catheter.

Prevent endocarditis:

• Keep your child's teeth and gums healthy. Have your child brush his or her teeth 2 to 3 times every day. It is best to brush his or her teeth after meals. Gently brush his or her teeth and gums with a clean toothbrush that has soft bristles. Take your child to the dentist every 6 months. Tell your child's dentist that he or she has had endocarditis.
• Ask your child's healthcare provider if he or she should take antibiotics before procedures. Some procedures may cause bacteria to get into your child's blood and travel to his or her heart. He or she may need antibiotic medicine before a procedure to prevent this.
• Carry a wallet card that says your child is at risk for endocarditis: This card will alert healthcare providers that your child is at risk for endocarditis. It will also help them decide if he or she needs antibiotics before a procedure or in an emergency. You can get this card through the American Heart Association.
  • American Heart Association
    7272 Greenville Avenue
    Dallas , TX 75231-4596
    Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
    Web Address: http://www.heart.org
    

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• vancomycin
• ceftriaxone
• Ancef
• Rifadin
• Flagyl

View more treatment options

Prevent the spread of germs:

• Keep your child away from other people while he or she is sick. This is especially important during the first 3 to 5 days of illness.
• Have your child wash his or her hands often. He or she should wash after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Have your child use soap and water. Show him or her how to rub soapy hands together, lacing the fingers. Wash the front and back of the hands, and in between the fingers. The fingers of one hand can scrub under the fingernails of the other hand. Teach your child to wash for at least 20 seconds. Use a timer, or sing a song that is at least 20 seconds. An example is the happy birthday song 2 times. Have your child rinse with warm, running water for several seconds. Then dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Your older child can use hand sanitizer with alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Remind your child to cover a sneeze or cough. Show your child how to use a tissue to cover his or her mouth and nose. Have your child throw the tissue away in a trash can right away. Then your child should wash his or her hands well or use a hand sanitizer. Show your child how to use the bend of his or her arm if a tissue is not available.
• Tell your child not to share items. Examples include toys, drinks, and food.
• Ask about vaccines your child needs. Vaccines help prevent some infections that cause disease. Have your child get a yearly flu vaccine as soon as recommended, usually starting in September or October. Your child's healthcare provider can tell you other vaccines your child should get, and when to get them.

Follow up with your child's cardiologist as directed:

Your child may need to return for more tests. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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