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Most diseases that S. aureus causes are never serious such as skin and soft tissue infection such as abscess(boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. There are a few serious diseases it can cause such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, bone and joint infections. The disease i want to discuss is a bloodstream infection called endocarditis.

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Endocarditis is a life-threatening bloodstream imflammation of the inner-lining in the heart's chambers and valves caused by S. aureus.

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Factor that make people more susceptible to endocarditis:

-Old age, 60 years old (25% of the cases)

-Artificial heart valves

-Damaged heart valves

-Congenital heart failure

-Implanted heart device

-Illegal intravenous (IV) drug use

-Poor dental health

-Long-term catheter use

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Germs that have snuck their way into your bloodstream is what is the main cause of endocarditis. Bacterial infection are the main culprit but every now and then it can be caused by a fungal infection. In some rare case there is no cause, which is scary.

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Common symptoms of endocarditis:

-Aching joints and muscles

-Chest pain when you breathe

-Fatigue

-Flu-like symptoms such fever and chills

-Night sweats

-Shortness of breathe

-Swelling in feet, legs, or belly

-A new or changed whooshing sound in the heart (a murmur)

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Test to preform for endocarditis:

Blood culture test helps identify germs in the bloodstream.

Complete blood count is used to determine if there's a lot of white blood count, which is a sign of infection.

Echocardiogram shows how the heart chambers and valves pump blood.

EKG/ECG, it isn't used to specifically to diagnose endocarditis but it can show if something is affecting the heart's electrical activity.

Chest X-ray helps determine if the swelling is just in the heart or if it has spread to the lungs as well.

CT or MRI are used to make sure that the inflammation has not spread to your brain, chest, and other parts of the body.

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Antibiotics is the course of treatment for endocarditis. Normally you will be admitted to the hospital to have the antibiotics administered through an IV. If it is caused by a fungal infection, the doctor will give you anti-fungal medication. You may have to surgery if it has progressed enough.

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Ways to remember the signs of Endocarditis

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Ways to remember the signs of Endocarditis

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Practice good oral hygiene.

Go to your 6 months teeth cleaning,

Brush your teeth daily,

If you have them, make sure your dentures fit properly

Don't let abscess and gum disease go untreated.

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This is a scary reminder to not play with your personal oral hygiene. Most time when we think of oral hygiene; we are worried about bad breath and having perfectly white when there is a much scarier result of bad hygiene.