South Korean researchers have discovered that early surgery may be the best way to deal with a severe heart infection known as Endocarditis.

Endocarditis is caused by an infection in the valves of the heart, and with symptoms ranging from high fever to muscle pain, it is often confused with the flu. It is a fatal disease that can damage heart valves if the infection is not treated quickly.

It can even cause complications such as a stroke if congealed bacteria in the heart valves becomes large enough it dislodges and travels elsewhere in the body.

The researchers found that conducting surgery in the early stages of the disease greatly reduced the risk of complications compared to administering antibiotics, which is the conventional method of treatment.