Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of insufficiently treated streptococcal pharyngitis or scarlet fever. Streptococcal pharyngitis and scarlet fever are caused by a streptococcal infection. Streptococcal that causes inflammatory lesions in connective tissue, especially that of the heart, joints, blood vessels, and subcutaneous tissue. Rheumatic fever is more common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, although it may develop in younger children and adults. Although streptococcal pharyngitis is prevalent, rheumatic fever is rare in the United States and other industrialized countries. However, rheumatic fever is still widespread in many developing countries.
Rheumatic fever can permanently damage the heart, including damaged heart valves and heart failure. Treatments can reduce the damage caused by inflammation, reduce pain and other symptoms, and prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever.
Causative Agent:
It is caused by the throat infection of group A streptococcal bacteria.
Signs and Symptoms:
It is non-contagious and symptoms may include;
- Polyarthritis accompanied with joint pain
- Heart inflammation leading to EKG changes
- Nodules under the skin rapid,
- Jerky movements
- Skin rash
- Fever
- High ESR
