Rheumatic Fever Facts
Rheumatic Fever, Pediatric
Rheumatic fever is a condition that can develop after an untreated strep throat infection. It causes inflammation that may affect the entire body. Rheumatic fever most often affects the heart, joints, central nervous system, skin, and underlying tissues. In some cases, rheumatic fever can cause serious damage to the heart.
Treatment can help clear up the symptoms of rheumatic fever, reduce damage to organs, and prevent symptoms from coming back.
CAUSES
This condition may be caused by an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system to an infection with the bacterium that causes strep throat (Streptococcus bacterium). The infection usually occurs in the throat, but it may also occur in the skin or another …show more content…
• People with a family history of the condition.
• People who live in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition usually develop within a few weeks after a strep throat infection. Symptoms vary and can include:
• Fever.
• Rash.
• Tiredness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Abdominal pain.
• Joint pain that moves around. The pain is usually in the elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees.
• Painless bumps under the skin.
• Swelling, warmth, and redness of the joints.
• Shortness of breath.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Chest pain.
• Rapid, uncoordinated, jerky movements of the facial muscles, hands, and feet (chorea).
In severe cases, this condition can cause problems with the heart. These problems may include:
• Inflammation of the heart (carditis).
• Mitral valve narrowing (mitral stenosis).
• Aortic valve narrowing (aortic stenosis).
• Leaky heart valves that allow blood to flow in the wrong direction (regurgitation).
• Heart failure.
• Atrial fibrillation. This is a fast, irregular beating of the upper chambers of the …show more content…
• Have your child gargle with a mixture of salt and warm water as needed for comfort.
• Make sure any dentists or other health care providers who care for your child know that your child has had rheumatic fever.
• Make sure any other family members with a sore throat or fever get a medical exam.
• Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your child's health care provider. This is important.
PREVENTION
Most cases of rheumatic fever can be prevented with proper treatment of any strep throat infection. If your child has had rheumatic fever, taking antibiotic medicine regularly can help prevent the condition from coming back.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your child has a sore throat.
• Your child has pain that is not controlled by medicine.
• Your child has a fever.
• Your child has swollen glands in the neck.
• Your child has difficulty swallowing.
• Your child develops a rash.
• Your child has vomiting.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
• Your child has a severe headache.
• Your child has a stiff or painful neck.
• Your child has chest
Rheumatic fever is a condition that can develop after an untreated strep throat infection. It causes inflammation that may affect the entire body. Rheumatic fever most often affects the heart, joints, central nervous system, skin, and underlying tissues. In some cases, rheumatic fever can cause serious damage to the heart.
Treatment can help clear up the symptoms of rheumatic fever, reduce damage to organs, and prevent symptoms from coming back.
CAUSES
This condition may be caused by an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system to an infection with the bacterium that causes strep throat (Streptococcus bacterium). The infection usually occurs in the throat, but it may also occur in the skin or another …show more content…
• People with a family history of the condition.
• People who live in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition usually develop within a few weeks after a strep throat infection. Symptoms vary and can include:
• Fever.
• Rash.
• Tiredness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Abdominal pain.
• Joint pain that moves around. The pain is usually in the elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees.
• Painless bumps under the skin.
• Swelling, warmth, and redness of the joints.
• Shortness of breath.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Chest pain.
• Rapid, uncoordinated, jerky movements of the facial muscles, hands, and feet (chorea).
In severe cases, this condition can cause problems with the heart. These problems may include:
• Inflammation of the heart (carditis).
• Mitral valve narrowing (mitral stenosis).
• Aortic valve narrowing (aortic stenosis).
• Leaky heart valves that allow blood to flow in the wrong direction (regurgitation).
• Heart failure.
• Atrial fibrillation. This is a fast, irregular beating of the upper chambers of the …show more content…
• Have your child gargle with a mixture of salt and warm water as needed for comfort.
• Make sure any dentists or other health care providers who care for your child know that your child has had rheumatic fever.
• Make sure any other family members with a sore throat or fever get a medical exam.
• Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your child's health care provider. This is important.
PREVENTION
Most cases of rheumatic fever can be prevented with proper treatment of any strep throat infection. If your child has had rheumatic fever, taking antibiotic medicine regularly can help prevent the condition from coming back.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your child has a sore throat.
• Your child has pain that is not controlled by medicine.
• Your child has a fever.
• Your child has swollen glands in the neck.
• Your child has difficulty swallowing.
• Your child develops a rash.
• Your child has vomiting.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
• Your child has a severe headache.
• Your child has a stiff or painful neck.
• Your child has chest