Endocarditis Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Fever, chills
Weakness, low energy
Sweatiness, especially at night
Shortness of breath
Cough
Loss of appetite, weight loss
Chest pain
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Painful red bumps on the fingers and toes
Purple dots on the whites of the eyes, under the fingernails, and over the collarbone
Painful red patches on the fingers, palms, and soles

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will check your heart for unusual heart sounds. These are called heart murmurs .

Tests include:

Blood tests—to check for infection
Echocardiogram —uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.