<human>: My husband had bacterial endocarditis on the aortic valve. It was diagnosed too late for anything to be done to save his life. He had many other health issues including COPD. My question is this. Since I m not sure where the bacteria came from that caused my husband s problem. I wonder if I was exposed to the same bacteria. No one told me to take precautions even when the infection went to the blood stream.
<bot>: Thanks for asking in Chat Doctor forum In short: The bacteria doe snot come from somewhere, it is the bacteria which lies within our body which causes bacterial endocarditis many timesExplanation: Usually any patient with prosthetic valves or any regurgitation lesions of heart valves, are prone to get bacterial endocarditis and thrombosis. So, they will be put on warfarin/heparin therapy and will be given prophylaxis for endocarditis during any simple operative procedure involving break in skin/mucosa.(usually antibiotics) So, sometimes it can still occur after taking proper precautions and prophylaxis. If you donor have any cardiac lesion like above-mentioned you need not worry about that bacteria. Be cool and happy.