Endocarditis is an infection of the endocardium, which is the inner lining of your heart chambers and heart valves. Endocarditis generally occurs when bacteria, fungi or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart. This chapter covers the classification of endocarditis, causes of endocarditis, diagnosis of endocarditis, treatment of endocarditis, and prevention of endocarditis. Intravenous antibiotics are commenced soon after sufficient blood cultures are obtained; usually a combination of nafcillin (oxacillin or flucloxacillin), ampicillin, and gentamicin is administered.