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Daniel MurtaghBritish bricklayer suffers from endocarditis
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Daniel Murtagh: A Stone Mason's Brush with Death
- Tracing the Infection
- A Close Call
- Serious Symptoms
- Endocarditis: A Serious Infection
- Heart Failure
- The Road to Recovery
- A Changed Life
Daniel Murtagh: A Stone Mason's Brush with Death
Endocarditis: A Devastating Dental ProblemDaniel Murtagh, a 29-year-old stone mason, faced imminent death and open-heart surgery due to a life-threatening infection stemming from a problematic tooth. Initially, Daniel experienced intense tooth pain, leading to months of unexplained weight loss, body aches, and extreme fatigue. Doctors initially suspected HIV, but tests revealed a "superbug" infection ravaging his body and attacking his heart valve.
Tracing the Infection
The infection traced back to bacteria from a "mildly infected wisdom tooth" that had been causing Daniel mild discomfort. After removing the tooth, Daniel underwent a seven-hour replacement surgery on his heart valve. The Harrogate stone mason learned that further delay by a week could have been fatal. "I had no idea that all my health problems had been caused by my tooth," he said. "I look after my teeth and I've never had a filling in my life. I'm lucky to be alive."
A Close Call
"One in five people die from endocarditis, and I only got diagnosed because I kept going back to the doctors. I just knew there was something wrong with me," Murtagh shared. "It's scary to think it was all caused by a bad tooth. I didn't realize I'd be on a life-support machine all because of a tiny tooth."
Serious Symptoms
Daniel's severe symptoms began in January 2016, leading to nine visits to his physician, complaining of chest pain, night sweats, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In March, doctors ordered an HIV test, which came back negative, eventually leading to the diagnosis of endocarditis. Suspected of suffering a stroke, Murtagh was monitored by cardiac surgeons who raced to remove the life-threatening infection lining his heart.
Endocarditis: A Serious Infection
Endocarditis, if left untreated, is a progressive and fatal infection. The inflammation often occurs when bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream through bleeding or inflamed gums. Doctors searched for the source of the infection, finding a tiny black mark beside Murtagh's upper wisdom tooth.
Heart Failure
It was discovered that his heart was pumping only 30% of the necessary blood, depriving his brain of adequate oxygen. Daniel was placed on an antibiotic drip, and two days later, he underwent a seven-hour open-heart surgery to replace the damaged valve.
The Road to Recovery
Daniel faced a 30% risk of dying during the operation, along with a high risk of heart attack or stroke. It took 30 hours for him to recover from surgery, spending one day in intensive care before returning to the ward. The medical team administered antibiotics every four hours to eradicate the infection from his body. The British stone mason spent seven weeks in the hospital regaining his health.
A Changed Life
Previously a laborer, Murtagh has had to find less strenuous work, prompting him to retrain as a stonemason. Daniel laments his inability to socialize as he did before, as even socializing in a pub can leave him exhausted. However, he is immensely grateful for surviving a life-threatening ordeal and getting a second chance to live his life.
