Rheumatic Fever

Rheumatic fever is a sickness that happens sometimes when strep throat or scarlet fever isn't treated completely. Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by bacteria called streptococcus. These bacteria are similar to those that cause strep throat.

Kids between the ages of 5 and 15 are most likely to get rheumatic fever, but it can affect younger children and adults too. It's not very common in the United States and other developed countries.

If rheumatic fever isn't treated, it can cause serious, lasting problems with the heart. This includes issues with the heart's valves and even heart failure. Doctors use medicine to get rid of the streptococcus bacteria causing the problem. They also use other medicines to help with pain and prevent any additional health issues.

Rheumatic fever is a condition that can sometimes develop after a strep throat infection. It happens because the body's immune system overreacts to the strep bacteria, causing inflammation (swelling) in different parts of the body, including the heart, joints, skin, and nervous system.

The symptoms of rheumatic fever can show up anywhere from two to four weeks after the strep throat. Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many. These symptoms can come and go, or change as the illness progresses.

Common rheumatic fever symptoms include:

• Fever: A higher-than-normal body temperature.
• Joint pain or swelling: This is often noticeable in the knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists. The joints might feel warm and sore to the touch. The pain can shift from one joint to another.
• Chest pain: Pain in the chest area.
• Fatigue: Feeling very tired.
• Skin bumps: Small, painless bumps under the skin.
• Rash: A flat or slightly raised, painless rash with an uneven, rough edge.

In some cases, rheumatic fever leads to a condition called Sydenham chorea. This involves:

• Uncontrolled movements: Jerky, involuntary movements, mainly in the hands, feet, and face.
• Emotional changes: Sudden outbursts of crying or inappropriate laughter.

Early and proper treatment of strep throat is crucial to prevent rheumatic fever. If you experience any of these strep throat symptoms, see a doctor right away:

• Sudden sore throat: A sore throat that comes on quickly.
• Pain when swallowing: Difficulty swallowing.
• Fever: A higher-than-normal body temperature.
• Headache: A painful feeling in the head.
• Stomach problems: Pain, nausea, or vomiting in the stomach area.

It's important to remember that this information is for general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.

Strep throat, if not treated correctly, can lead to a serious condition called rheumatic fever. It's important to see a doctor if you think you might have strep throat. Some common signs include:

• Sudden onset sore throat: This means the pain in your throat comes on quickly and intensely.
• Painful swallowing: You'll find it hurts to eat or drink anything.
• Fever: A higher-than-normal body temperature. This could be a sign of infection.
• Headache: A throbbing pain in your head.
• Stomach problems: This includes tummy aches, feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), and throwing up (vomiting).

If you experience these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor or a healthcare professional right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of strep throat is crucial to prevent potential complications like rheumatic fever.

Strep throat, often caused by bacteria called group A streptococcus (strep bacteria), can sometimes lead to a serious condition called rheumatic fever. This same bacteria can also cause scarlet fever. If strep throat or scarlet fever isn't treated properly with antibiotics, it can develop into rheumatic fever.

Prompt and complete antibiotic treatment for strep throat significantly reduces the risk of rheumatic fever. It's crucial to take all the prescribed medicine, even if you feel better. Finishing the entire course ensures the infection is completely cleared, preventing potential complications.

Strep infections in other parts of the body, like skin infections, are less likely to cause rheumatic fever.

Exactly how strep bacteria trigger rheumatic fever isn't fully understood. One theory is that the bacteria might confuse the body's immune system. Instead of fighting the bacteria, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs, particularly the heart, joints, skin, and nervous system. This mistaken attack leads to inflammation, which causes swelling and pain in these areas.

Rheumatic fever is a serious illness that can sometimes develop after a strep throat infection. Several factors can increase a person's risk:

• Family history (genes): If someone in your family has had rheumatic fever, you might have a slightly higher chance of getting it. This is because certain genes might make your body more vulnerable to the illness. It's important to note that having these genes doesn't guarantee you'll get rheumatic fever, but it does increase your risk.

• Specific types of strep bacteria: Not all strep bacteria cause rheumatic fever. Some types are more likely to trigger the illness than others. This means that even if you have strep throat, the specific type of strep bacteria you have plays a role in whether you develop rheumatic fever.

• Living conditions and spread of infection: Crowded living situations, poor hygiene, and inadequate sanitation can make it easier for strep bacteria to spread quickly from person to person. This heightened exposure increases your risk of getting strep throat, and consequently, rheumatic fever. Think of it like a wildfire—dry conditions and plenty of fuel make it easier for the fire to spread. In the same way, poor living conditions can make the spread of strep bacteria easier.

Rheumatic fever can cause swelling in joints and tissues. This swelling can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. For some people, this swelling leads to long-term problems.

One significant problem is rheumatic heart disease. This happens when rheumatic fever damages the heart, often years or even decades later.

Critically, rheumatic fever can sometimes start harming the heart valves while the child is still sick. The mitral valve, which separates the heart's two left chambers, is most commonly affected, but other valves can be harmed as well.

Rheumatic fever can damage the heart in several ways:

• Valve narrowing (stenosis): The flaps of the heart valve can thicken, stiffen, and even fuse together. This makes it harder for blood to flow through the valve.

• Leaky valves (regurgitation): The valve flaps might not close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward through the valve.

• Weakened heart muscle: The inflammation from rheumatic fever can weaken the heart muscle, making it less effective at pumping blood.

• Heart failure: Over time, the heart damage from rheumatic fever can lead to heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump enough blood for the body's needs.

• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias): Damage to the heart valves or other parts of the heart can cause irregular heartbeats, sometimes very fast. This is sometimes called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Quick treatment of strep throat and scarlet fever is key to preventing rheumatic fever. Taking all your prescribed antibiotics exactly as your doctor tells you is also very important. These infections, if not treated promptly and completely, can sometimes lead to rheumatic fever, a serious condition. So, getting medical attention right away and finishing all the medicine is crucial for preventing this problem.

Diagnosing rheumatic fever isn't as simple as taking one test. Doctors use a combination of information to figure out if someone has it. This includes a review of the person's medical history, a physical examination, and specific lab results.

Several tests help doctors assess the situation:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test creates a picture of the heart's electrical activity. It's like a recording of the heart's rhythm. Doctors look for any unusual patterns that might suggest the heart is inflamed or enlarged.

• Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart. It shows the shape and structure of the heart, and how blood is flowing through it. This helps doctors see if there's any damage to the heart's valves or chambers.

• Blood tests: Blood tests can reveal signs of inflammation in the body. Two common tests are C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), often called the sed rate. Higher-than-normal levels of these proteins suggest inflammation, which could be a sign of rheumatic fever.

• Antibody tests: Sometimes, the bacteria that causes strep throat (the infection often linked to rheumatic fever) is no longer present in the blood or throat. In these cases, doctors might look for proteins called antibodies. These are special proteins the body makes to fight off infections. If the body has made antibodies to the strep bacteria, it's a strong indication that a strep infection has occurred, even if the bacteria isn't currently detectable.