Rheumatic Fever: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory illness that can affect the heart, skin, nervous system, and joints. This medical affliction can attack any age group, but is prevalent in female youth. Outbreaks of rheumatic fever are more common in children between 6 and 16 years of age. Although outbreaks of rheumatic fever have virtually disappeared in the United States, this ailment continues to compromise human health in numerous developing countries.

Rheumatic fever and Strep Throat

Rheumatic fever is a painful ailment that generally follows an untreated streptococcal throat infection. This bacterial infection is also called strep throat. Strep throat attacks tissues in the back of the throat and the tonsils. Inflammation and irritation of those tissues causes a severe sore throat.

Strep Throat

Common symptoms of strep throat are a severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and swollen tonsils. Strep throat may also cause the development of white or yellow spots on the tongue or on the back of the inflamed throat. Sufferers of strep throat often experience abdominal pain, headaches, and other feelings of wide-ranging discomfort.

Strep throat is not associated with symptoms of the common cold such as coughing, sneezing, or a runny nose. Unlike the common cold, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. However, antibiotic care is only effective within 2-3 days of the eruption of symptoms. With or without treatment, strep throat will normally disappear within 7 days.

Victims

Rheumatic fever can occur at any age, but most frequently occurs in children between the ages of 6 and 16 years. The disease is more common in females.

It is important to recognize that not all episodes of strep throat lead to rheumatic fever. Nonetheless, development of rheumatic fever is a serious medical obstacle. Onset of this disease can affect numerous portions of the human body.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rheumatic fever generally appear within five weeks after untreated strep throat.

In addition to general indicators of strep throat, victims of rheumatic fever may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and painful, swollen joints. Rheumatic fever can also cause skin rashes on the chest, stomach, and back.

Diagnosis

To diagnose rheumatic fever, a doctor must detect the existence of a strep throat infection. Doctors detect strep throat by running a cotton swab over the back of the throat. The swab collects a sample of bacteria that will be cultured. The bacterial culture will be studied in a laboratory to confirm whether streptococcal bacteria are present.

A doctor will also listen to the heart and scrutinize the body for nodules located on the joints. Nodules will usually erupt on the knee and ankle joints. Some medical professionals will also diagnose rheumatic fever after conducting blood tests, chest x-rays or utilizing an electrocardiogram.

Treatment

There is no cure for rheumatic fever, but outbreaks can be prevented by promptly treating strep throat. Victims of rheumatic fever normally fully recover within six weeks.

Complications

Although patients may feel well, long-term damage may exist. In some instances, rheumatic fever causes permanent heart damage. The doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves. Untreated valves disrupt the flow of blood. Damaged valves cause the blood to flow backwards. Damaged valves may also reduce the amount of blood flow necessary for normal function.

Summary: Rheumatic fever is a serious ailment caused by untreated strep throat that will affect the heart, skin, and nervous system. This illness predominately affects youth, but is capable of harming any age group. Although incurable, rheumatic fever can be treated with antibiotics. After the course of acute illness dissipates, victims of rheumatic fever may suffer from long-term side affects such as heart damage.