i didn't have endocardiitis. i had an artificial heart valve put in January 12. The surgeon told me to watch for endocarditis. i am aware of it because my father contracted it years ago after his mitral valve was replaced. He was on IV's for 3 weeks in local hospital treating him for wrong bacteria infection and then 6 weeks IV;S in another hospital. 2 of my former coworkers husbands died from endocarditis after having their heart valves replaced. It can start as a strep throat. My left wrist is -3.9 Sometimes the pharmaceuticals companies push too many meds. When i watch tv in the evening there is 4 or 5 commercials peddling different drugs. Years ago it was toothpaste, deodorant and cars.