Home Health Center Endocarditis   Endocarditis - Prevention

Prevention from Endocarditis



The most effective way in which you can prevent Endocarditis is by following strict hygienic procedures. This means that you need to:

• Be extra careful about your dental health, by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Also try to schedule regular appointments with your dentist, just to make sure that your teeth and gums are in good shape.
• Avoid any practices that could lead to infections. In case you are going in for a tattoo or a body piercing, make sure that the needle used is sterile.     
• Seek medical assistance if you happen to notice the development of open cuts on the skin, a chronic skin infection or the formation of sores that do not seem to heal properly.
  

The risks of developing Endocarditis increase when you are going for certain medical procedures. The American Heart Association recommends that people take preventative antibiotics before:

• Undergoing a dental procedure
• Going through a surgery for the respiratory tract or infected skin
  

The use of antibiotics may also help prevent Endocarditis in case:

• You have artificial heart valves
• You are suffering from congenital heart defects
• You experienced valve problems after going through a heart transplant
• You have a history of Endocarditis
  

The use of antibiotics will only reduce the risks of developing Endocarditis. However, it is important that you speak to a doctor before taking antibiotics or any medication that may help prevent this condition.