Rheumatic fever is a serious immune disease that affects various parts of the body and can develop after a severe infection with streptococcal bacteria. It can be treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, but prevention is essential as it can cause serious complications.
Rheumatic fever is a serious immune disease that affects several areas of the body, including the joints, heart, skin, nervous system and brain. Rheumatic fever can develop after a severe infection with streptococcal bacteria, especially strep throat. Family history of the disease also plays a big role in who gets rheumatic fever and who doesn’t. Although this fever is most common in children under the age of 15, it can occur at any age if a severe case of strep throat is left untreated and inadequately treated for more than 20 days.
Rheumatic fever was common before antibiotics and still occurs frequently in third world countries and poor areas with difficult access to medical care. In the United States and much of Europe, however, it’s becoming rare. This condition develops in about three percent of people who have had a sore throat.
Some of the more common signs include a combination of joint inflammation, fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath or chest pain, especially if these symptoms come after a sore throat condition. A pinkish rash that develops on the arms and legs for no apparent reason can also be a sign of rheumatic fever. Some people also develop hard lumps under the skin. After a careful physical exam, doctors may be able to detect abnormal heart murmurs or inflammation of the heart valves.
While there is no cure, the disease can be treated effectively with a two-pronged approach, which includes antibiotics, such as penicillin, to cure any remnants of the strep infection and no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and ease uncomfortable symptoms. Bed rest is also a common prescription for patients. Patients who have been diagnosed with the disease usually need to take antibiotics for life to prevent recurrences.
Left untreated, fever can cause serious complications, including scarring of the heart valves and even congestive heart failure. It is also known to affect the brain and cause loss of coordination. Since there is no definitive treatment for rheumatic fever, prevention is essential. Treating throat infections with antibiotics is the easiest way to avoid later complications.
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