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Procedures That May Require Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis
Some people who are at risk for endocarditis take preventive (prophylactic) antibiotics before they have certain dental or surgical procedures that could put bacteria or fungi into their blood. The antibiotics lower the risk of getting endocarditis.
Not all people who may have risk factors for endocarditis take antibiotics. The people who take antibiotics have certain heart conditions that make getting endocarditis even more dangerous. If you do not have these conditions, antibiotics are not likely to help you.
These heart conditions include:
- Artificial heart valves.
- Endocarditis in the past.
- Heart defects since birth (congenital heart defects).
- Heart valve problems after a heart transplant.
Talk to your doctor or dentist
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.
If your doctor or dentist recommends that you take preventive antibiotics, the medicine typically is given 30 minutes to 1 hour before the procedure.
What procedures need antibiotics?
| Dental procedures |
|
|---|---|
| Respiratory tract (airway) procedures |
|
| Skin, bone, or tissue procedures |
|
What procedures do not need antibiotics?
| Dental procedures |
|
|---|---|
| Respiratory tract (airway) procedures |
|
| Stomach and intestinal tract procedures |
|
| Urinary system procedures |
|
| Other procedures |
|
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 9, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
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