iCliniq Logo
HomeAnswersInternal Medicineendocarditis

What are the signs and symptoms of endocarditis?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am afraid that I might have sepsis or endocarditis. I observed a red color on the knuckles of my hands, red spots all over my body after I took a shower, and red spots on a scar. My toenails turned purple. It seems like there is a small bump near the inner elbow. I am very afraid to go to the doctor. My toenails turned red and are a little swollen, the same with my fingernails. Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

I want to know if you have symptoms like fever, chills and sweats, malaise, anorexia, myalgia, arthralgia, chest pain, dizziness, or dyspnea. If you have a fever, is it mild or severe? The diagnosis of IE (infectious endocarditis) is established with certainty only when vegetations are examined histologically and microbiologically. Nevertheless, a common clinical approach utilizes a sensitive and specific diagnostic schema—the modified Duke criteria—based on clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings commonly encountered in patients with IE. I have seen the files you have attached (the attachment was removed to protect the patient's identity). I want to know- for how long do you have these changes in the skin and nails of your body? Is this redness present over the body itchy?

Kindly reply to the above questions to suggest further about it.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Here are my answers to your questions. I do not know if I have a fever but I do get chills sometimes. Had chest pain once the other day. Yes, the redness is all over my body, especially on my knuckles, joints, toes, and a burn scar. My nails started to turn purple after a month or two. It is not itchy. There are small lumps near my inner elbows. Fingertips are red and look a little swollen. It is a little difficult to urinate sometimes. My eyelids look a little puffy but I am not sure if that is related. Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have read all of your symptoms. It is of chronic duration, and most importantly, you do not have a fever because fever is an easily recognizable symptom by the patient or anyone who gets a fever. These symptoms are relevant and cannot be ignored. Eyelids look puffy, with discoloration of the fingernails and redness over the body, suggesting or hinting towards some ongoing pathology process. Differential diagnoses based on the above symptoms are many, and it has to be lowered by doing appropriate blood tests, including routine lab tests. I want to know your personal history as well, including your history of drug intake, if any. You should visit your physician to get an evaluation of both symptoms and laboratory tests. Have you done any lab tests so far in these months? Kindly do not ignore your symptoms. Visit your doctor in person or have a chat or phone consultation with me to discuss the symptoms in detail. I hope you find this information helpful.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At June 13, 2024
Reviewed AtJune 13, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Listen to related tracks in our music library

Read answers about:

endocarditispurple spots

Ask your health query to a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.