What is Rheumatic Fever?

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that occurs after tonsillitis caused by a specific bacteria (specifically, a group A Streptococcus). Rheumatic fever commonly affects the joints and heart.

Rheumatic fever can cause many different symptoms, but the most common symptoms are fever and pain, and swelling of the joints. Other symptoms are chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, involuntary movements (chorea), and rash. Rheumatic fever is treated with antibiotics. Some children with rheumatic fever may go on to develop problems with their heart valves.

Risks

Rheumatic fever has become rare in many countries because the underlying disease, a bacterial infection of the tonsils, can be treated with antibiotics. It still tends to be common in parts of the world where there is little access to medical care and crowded conditions. This condition tends to affect children between the ages of 5 and 15 and is rare in adults. Children who are not properly treated for bacterial tonsillitis are at higher risk of this condition.

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What are the symptoms of Rheumatic Fever?

Symptoms develop within 10-20 days after bacterial infection of the tonsil or throat.

They include:

• fever
• headache
• weakness
• a non-itchy rash
• joint pain

Later, involuntary muscle movements may occur. Some people may develop carditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), which causes chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the symptoms and physical examination. Blood tests that show signs of inflammation support the diagnosis. Examination of the heart with electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) and ultrasound scans might also be necessary.

How to Treat Rheumatic Fever?

The bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics. The symptoms of rheumatic fever can be reduced with anti-inflammatory medications and if needed, steroid tablets. If rheumatic fever involves the heart, long-term antibiotics might be prescribed.

Prevention

Seeing a doctor for tonsillitis and completing a whole course of antibiotics is important in preventing rheumatic fever. Having the tonsils removed after an episode of rheumatic fever may help to prevent future episodes of strep throat and recurrence of rheumatic fever.

**Question: What is Rheumatic ⁤Fever?**



**Answer:**



Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that primarily​ affects the heart, joints, skin, and brain. It is a complication of untreated streptococcal throat infections (strep throat)⁤ caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes.



**Symptoms of Rheumatic ‍Fever:**



* Joint⁤ pain and swelling, especially in the knees, ankles, ⁣elbows, and‍ wrists

* Fever

* Muscle weakness and fatigue

* Rapid heart rate

* Chest pain and​ shortness of breath

* Nodules under ⁣the⁣ skin, especially over joints

* Ring-shaped rash on the chest or abdomen



**Causes of Rheumatic Fever:**



Rheumatic fever occurs when the immune ​system mistakenly attacks the⁤ body’s own tissues after a streptococcal infection. The exact ‌reason for‌ this⁢ is unknown, but it is believed⁣ to involve ‌a cross-reactivity between the bacteria and human heart ‍tissue.



**Risk Factors ‌for Rheumatic Fever:**



* **History of streptococcal infections:** Untreated or poorly treated strep throat ‍increases the risk.

* **Age:** The condition is ⁣most common in children aged 5-15 ⁢years.

* **Living conditions:** Overcrowded or unsanitary living conditions can facilitate the spread of‌ streptococcal ​bacteria.



**Diagnosis of Rheumatic Fever:**



Diagnosis requires a combination of symptoms, physical⁣ examination, ⁤and laboratory tests:



* **Physical examination:** Evidence of joint swelling, heart murmur, or skin rash.

* **Blood tests:** Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation‌ rate (ESR) and⁤ C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

* ⁢**Electrocardiogram (ECG):** Abnormal heart ‍rhythms or murmurs.



**Treatment of Rheumatic Fever:**



Treatment⁢ aims to:



* **Eliminate⁣ streptococcal ⁣infection:** Antibiotics⁣ to clear the bacteria.

* **Reduce inflammation:** Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ⁤(NSAIDs)⁤ or⁤ salicylates to control joint pain ​and​ fever.

* **Prevent complications:** ​Antibiotics to⁢ prevent recurrent infections and steroids to suppress inflammation in severe cases.



**Long-Term Effects of Rheumatic Fever:**



* **Heart‍ damage (rheumatic heart disease):** Inflammation can lead to scarring of‍ heart‌ valves, resulting in valve dysfunction and heart failure.

* **Chronic joint⁣ pain and arthritis**

* **Brain​ damage (Sydenham’s chorea):** ⁤Rare but serious neurological complication causing involuntary muscle movements.



**Prevention of Rheumatic Fever:**



* **Early and adequate treatment of streptococcal infections**

* **Good hygiene practices:** Frequent handwashing and ⁣covering coughs and ‍sneezes.

* **Vaccination:** Regular ​streptococcal vaccinations are not available, but vaccines for⁢ other bacteria‍ that cause throat infections (e.g., Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus ⁣pneumoniae)​ can​ help reduce the risk.