In the elderly, symptoms of endocarditis tend to be non-specific and include: fever, confusion, weight loss, malaise and weakness. The subacute type causes persistent fever, malaise, night sweats, weight loss, heart failure, haemorrhage under the skin and fingernails, tender fingertips, enlarged liver or spleen. Acute endocarditis causes severe fever, red or purple spots caused by broken blood vessels (petechiae) and abnormal heart sounds.
Attribution: Avallain