Search
Site Search
About CHAM
Who We Are
Our Mission
Our Values
Standards of Excellence
CHAM Leadership
In the Community
News
Community Events
Inside CHAM
CHAM Connections
CHAM Mentions
Patient Stories
Bronx Locations
US News & World Report
Health Library
Patient Health Library
Refer a Patient
Find a Doctor
Find a Clinical Trial
SIGN IN TO MYCHART
Ways to Give
Volunteer
Volunteering at CHAM
Why Support Montefiore
Donate
Toggle menu
Specialties & Programs
Pediatric Specialties
Cardiology (Stage-Test)
Gastroenterology Option A
Gastroenterology Option B
View Specialties
Adolescent Medicine (Gynecology, Menstrual disorders, Contraception, Eating disorders, Obesity)
Allergy and Immunology
Anesthesiology
Cardiology (Heart)
Cardiothoracic Surgery (Heart)
Craniofacial Surgery
Critical Care Medicine
Dentistry
Dermatology (Skin Disorders)
Developmental Medicine (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Autism, ADHD, Developmental Delays and Mental Health)
Emergency Medicine
Endocrinology & Diabetes
Fetal Medicine (High Risk OB/GYN)
Gastroenterology and Nutrition (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Disease, Liver Transplant)
General Pediatrics (Academic General Pediatrics)
Genetics (Inherited Diseases, Rare Diseases, Genetic Counseling)
Heart
Hematology and Oncology (Cancer, Sickle Cell Disease, Bleeding Disorders)
Hepatology (Liver Disease)
Hospital Medicine
Infectious Disease (Vaccines, Complex Infection and Antibiotic Management)
Neonatology (Premature and Sick Newborn Care)
Nephrology (Kidney Disease, Hypertension, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant)
Neurology (Seizures, Neuromuscular and Brain Diseases, Muscular Dystrophy, Rhett Syndrome)
Neurosurgery
Ophthalmology (Eye and Vision)
Orthopaedics (Bones and Joints)
Otolaryngology (Ears, Nose, Throat)
Plastic Surgery
Psychiatry (Therapy for Mental Health Problems, Depression, Psychiatric Diseases)
Radiology,X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT, interventional procedures
Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (Lung and Breathing Problems, Asthma, Sleep Apnea)
Rheumatology (Lupus, Juvenile Arthritis, Childhood Autoimmune Diseases)
Surgery
Urology (Kidney, Ureter and Bladder)
PROGRAMS & CENTERS
View All Programs & Centers >
For Patients & Families
Getting Here
Your Hospital Visit
Neighborhood Services
Visitors
Community Events
Support Services
Paying For Your Visit
FAQs
Find A Doctor
Get Directions
Patient Stories
For Health
Professionals
Refer A Patient
Residency and Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Nursing At CHAM
Grand Rounds
Careers
L.E.A.D. Program
Staff & Alumni Association
Quality & Performance Improvement
CHAM Leadership
Medical Student Education
Clinical Pathways
Research
Child Health Research at CHAM
Improving Child Health Across Disciplines
Clinical Trials
Albert Einstein College Of Medicine
Preventive Intervention Research Center for Child Health (PIRC)
Home
Health Library
Share
Health Library
<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeFocus HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">People Who Need Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-ue4501-sec"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="b4cb0a40" fingerprint-exact="e7c3d1bb">Overview</h2> <p fingerprint="28ade03a" fingerprint-exact="8e55f63c">If you have certain heart conditions, you may need to take antibiotics before you have some dental or surgical procedures that could put bacteria or fungi into your blood. The antibiotics lower your risk of getting <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="ste122118" data-hw-section="ste122118-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="ste122118" data-hwid="ste122118" hw:section-href="ste122118-sec" href="?id=ste122118#ste122118-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">endocarditis</span></a>. </p> <p fingerprint="bc8ed4ba" fingerprint-exact="e6bd1669">These heart conditions include: </p> <ul fingerprint="16c9b1b1" fingerprint-exact="8e687458"> <li>A repaired or replaced heart valve.</li> <li>Endocarditis in the past. </li> <li>Heart defects since birth (congenital heart defects). </li> <li> <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sth17214" data-hw-section="sth17214-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sth17214" data-hwid="sth17214" hw:section-href="sth17214-sec" href="?id=sth17214#sth17214-sec"><span class="HwLinkText"> Heart valve</span></a> problems after a heart transplant. </li> </ul> <p fingerprint="a7a0b002" fingerprint-exact="7cd9faf1">Your doctor can tell you whether you need to take antibiotics. Before you have any medical, dental, or surgical procedures, tell all other health professionals who may treat you that you are at risk for endocarditis. </p> <p fingerprint="7cb17d7a" fingerprint-exact="762aa7d3">Your doctor can issue you a special card to carry in your wallet if you require preventive antibiotics before certain dental or surgical procedures. Your condition and specific antibiotic requirements are outlined on this card. The card is signed by your doctor. </p> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="13a2d4c1" fingerprint-exact="b46dcc42">Why not everyone should use antibiotics</h3> <p fingerprint="cce63081" fingerprint-exact="43d32d43">Antibiotics are useful in minimizing the risk of endocarditis if you have certain heart conditions. But in order to protect your health, your doctor may not always recommend them. The medical community has several reasons for not advising all people with valve problems to take antibiotics: </p> <ul fingerprint="9ec6899d" fingerprint-exact="f7a454f7"> <li>Taking antibiotics may not be needed. </li> <li>Taking antibiotics may be dangerous to your health if you are allergic to the drug. </li> <li>Taking excessive antibiotics promotes the development of stronger, <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="std139567" data-hw-section="std139567-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="std139567" data-hwid="std139567" hw:section-href="std139567-sec" href="?id=std139567#std139567-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">antibiotic-resistant</span></a> bacteria that are harder to kill with currently available medicines. </li> </ul> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="f6483862" fingerprint-exact="d736d170">Antibiotic resistance</h3> <p fingerprint="e79dab3c" fingerprint-exact="5a006684">Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria are able to resist drugs that were previously able to kill the bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is most common in situations that involve improper, unneeded, and incomplete use of prescription antibiotics. But resistance can also occur through correct antibiotic usage.</p> <p fingerprint="a5c51b65" fingerprint-exact="a34a512e">Antibiotic resistance is dangerous, because one type of bacteria can acquire the ability to survive certain drugs and then exchange this ability with other types of bacteria. When resistance to a particular medicine is widespread, the antibiotic becomes ineffective. Then scientists must find an adequate replacement. The only way for bacteria to develop resistance is through exposure to these antibiotics. So doctors try to use these drugs only when appropriate and necessary. This reduces the chances of resistance. </p> <p fingerprint="27052c2c" fingerprint-exact="6ec86c6b">Always try to prevent antibiotic resistance. This can be done by: </p> <ul fingerprint="0fbbfae5" fingerprint-exact="6506308e"> <li>Completing the course of drugs that you have been given. Antibiotics typically take several days to kill bacteria. If you take a partial course, you are teaching bacteria to survive the antibiotic. </li> <li>Not stockpiling partial prescriptions and self-dosing with antibiotics. </li> </ul> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-ue4501-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="5ee729d8" fingerprint-exact="6316b454"><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Mini" data-hw-document-href="hw164664" data-hw-section="acl7295" hw:document-type="Mini" hw:document-href="hw164664" data-hwid="hw164664" hw:section-href="acl7295" href="?id=hw164664#acl7295">Endocarditis</a></li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwCreditsSection HwCreditsWithoutNavstack HwSectionCredits" id="sec-ue4501-Credits"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Credits</h2><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span> April 30, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</span></a><br><span><b><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Clinical Review Board</span></a></b></span><br>All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigation"><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:block" id="secNav-ue4501-sec"><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNext"><p>Next Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="ue4501" data-hw-section="ue4501-RelInfo" id="nextLink-ue4501-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="ue4501" data-hwid="ue4501" hw:section-href="ue4501-RelInfo" href="?id=ue4501#ue4501-RelInfo">Related Information</a><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true"> »</span></div><div class="HwClear"> </div></div><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:none" id="secNav-ue4501-RelInfo"><div class="HwContentNavigationPrev"><p>Previous Section: </p><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true">« </span><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="ue4501" data-hw-section="ue4501-sec" id="prevLink-ue4501-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="ue4501" data-hwid="ue4501" hw:section-href="ue4501-sec" href="?id=ue4501#ue4501-sec">Overview</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNext"><p>Next Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="ue4501" data-hw-section="ue4501-Credits" id="nextLink-ue4501-Credits" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="ue4501" data-hwid="ue4501" hw:section-href="ue4501-Credits" href="?id=ue4501#ue4501-Credits">Credits</a><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true"> »</span></div><div class="HwClear"> </div></div><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:none" id="secNav-ue4501-Credits"><div class="HwContentNavigationPrev"><p>Previous Section: </p><span class="HwNavLinkArrow" aria-hidden="true">« </span><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="ue4501" data-hw-section="ue4501-RelInfo" id="prevLink-ue4501-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="ue4501" data-hwid="ue4501" hw:section-href="ue4501-RelInfo" href="?id=ue4501#ue4501-RelInfo">Related Information</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div><div class="HwClear"> </div></div></div><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span>April 30, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</a></p><p><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><span><b>Clinical Review Board</b></span></a><br>All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar2"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationTop"> </div><div class="HwElement" id="HwNavigationWrapper"><div class="HwNavigation" id="HwNavigation" role="navigation"><h3 class="HwNavStackHeader" id="HwNavStackHeader">Topic Contents</h3><ul aria-labelledby="HwNavStackHeader"><li id="nav-ue4501-sec"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="ue4501" data-hw-section="ue4501-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="ue4501" data-hwid="ue4501" hw:section-href="ue4501-sec" href="?id=ue4501#ue4501-sec">Overview</a></li><li id="nav-ue4501-RelInfo"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="ue4501" data-hw-section="ue4501-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="ue4501" data-hwid="ue4501" hw:section-href="ue4501-RelInfo" href="?id=ue4501#ue4501-RelInfo">Related Information</a></li><li id="nav-ue4501-Credits"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="ue4501" data-hw-section="ue4501-Credits" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="ue4501" data-hwid="ue4501" hw:section-href="ue4501-Credits" href="?id=ue4501#ue4501-Credits">Credits</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="HwNavigationWrapper HwNavigationEmpty"> </div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationBottom"> </div></div></div></div><div class="HwBlock" id="HwFooter"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwCustom HwColumn" id="HwCustomFooterLeft"> </div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwFooterLegal"><div class="HwLegal HwElement" role="contentinfo"><div class="HwLogo"><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><img class="HwNoHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><img class="HwHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a></div><div class="HwDisclaimer"><p>This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the <a href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/terms.aspx">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/privacy.aspx">Privacy Policy</a>. Learn <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">how we develop our content</a>.</p></div><div class="HwOptionalLogo"><div class="HwLogo"><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><img class="HwNoHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"><img class="HwHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" alt="Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a></div></div><div class="HwCopyright"><p class="HwCopyrightLink">To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit <a href="https://www.webmdignite.com/">webmdignite.com</a>. </p><p>© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.</p></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom HwColumn" id="HwCustomFooterRight"> </div></div></div><div class="HwCustom HwBlock" id="HwCustomFooter"> </div></div>