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Endocarditis is primarily an infection of the inner lining of the heart, and its symptoms can vary depending on the severity and duration of the infection. Focal neurological deficits, splinter hemorrhages, and heart murmurs are all commonly recognized manifestations of this condition.

Focal neurological deficits can occur due to embolic events, where fragments of vegetation from the heart can travel to the brain, causing ischemia and resulting in symptoms like weakness or changes in sensation. This is a known complication of endocarditis.

Skin manifestations such as splinter hemorrhages, which are tiny blood spots that appear under the nails, are also characteristic of endocarditis. They result from small emboli that block the small blood vessels in the skin.

A heart murmur is often present in patients with endocarditis because the infection typically results in vegetative growth on the heart valves, altering the normal flow of blood and creating turbulence that can be detected as a murmur on auscultation.

In contrast, chest pain is not a classic symptom of endocarditis. Though some patients may experience chest pain due to other complications (such as embolic events affecting the coronary arteries), it is not directly associated with the condition itself, setting it apart from the other