Rheumatic Fever
by Editorial Staff and Contributors
Definition
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition. It involves the connective tissue in the body. The most severe complication is rheumatic heart disease. This condition may permanently damage the heart valves. Valves control the flow of blood to and from the heart.
Diseased Heart Valve
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Causes
Rheumatic fever is caused by group A Streptococcus pharyngitis, also known as strep throat. In this case, the body uses antibodies to fight the infection, but the antibodies also attack the heart.
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your risk of rheumatic fever include:
- Having strep throat
- Prior case of rheumatic fever
- Age: 5 to 15 years old
Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear 2 to 4 weeks after a strep infection. They may include:
- Pain and swelling in large joints
- Fever
- Weakness
- Muscle aches
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hacking cough
- Circular rash
- Lumps under the skin
- Abnormal, sudden movements of arms and legs
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. This will include a careful exam of your heart.
Other tests may include:
-
Samples may be taken of your bodily fluids and tissues. This can be done with:
- Blood tests
- Throat culture
- You may need to have pictures taken of your heart. This can be done with:
- You may need to have your heart activity measured. This can be done with an electrocardiogram.
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to:
- Kill the strep bacteria
- Treat the inflammation caused by the rheumatic fever
- Treat any cardiac problems
- Prevent future cases of rheumatic fever
Treatment may include:
Medication
To treat the strep infection:
- Penicillin or other antibiotics such as erythromycin and azithromycin
- May be given by mouth or injection
To help with joint pain and swelling:
- Aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—only if advised by your doctor
- Corticosteroids may be used if NSAIDs are not effective or if there is inflammation of the heart
Rest
In some cases, the inflammation can be severe. You may have to rest for a period of time.
Prevention
It is important to treat strep throat with antibiotics right away. This will help prevent rheumatic fever. If you or your child has a sore throat and a fever that lasts more than 24 hours, contact your doctor.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca
REFERENCES:
Acute rheumatic fever. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed . Updated September 27, 2012. Accessed February 14, 2013.
Nausieda PA, Grossman BJ, Koller WC: Sydenham chorea: an update. Neurology . 1980;30:331-334.
Rheumatic fever. Texas Heart Institute website. Available at: http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics/cond/rheufev.cfm . Updated October 2012. Accessed February 14, 2013.
Robertson KA, Volmink JA, Mayosi BM. Antibiotics for the primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever. BMC Cardiovasc Disorders . 2005; 5:11.
Spagnuolo M, Pasternack B, Taranta A. Risk of rheumatic fever recurrences after streptococcal infections: prospective study of clinical and social factors. N Engl J Med . 1971;285:641-647.
Last reviewed March 2013 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 3/15/2013