rheumatic fever
Post-strep inflammatory disease
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop after a streptococcal throat infection, particularly in children.
It affects the heart, joints, skin, and nervous system, and repeated episodes can cause permanent heart valve damage.
The condition has become rare in developed countries due to antibiotic treatment of strep throat: Before antibiotics, rheumatic fever was a leading cause of heart disease in young people.
Heart inflammation condition
- murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
- endocarditisInflamed inner heart lining
- myocarditisCardiac muscle inflammation
- pericarditisInflammation surrounding the heart
Spherical bacteria in chains
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- pharyngitisInflamed upper airway lining
- group A strepFlesh-eating disease pathogen
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
cross-reactivity · throat culture · rapid strep test · latent period · acute phase · recurrence · sequelae · endemic
Fungus-derived infection fighter
- aspirinAcetylsalicylic acid tablet
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- amoxicillinPenicillin-type bacteria killer
- erythromycinMacrolide antimicrobial medication
azithromycin · anti-inflammatory · prednisone · bed rest · intramuscular injection · NSAIDs · naproxen · hospitalization
Involuntary jerking muscle disorder
- joint swellingInflammation at body hinges
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- malaiseDiffuse, sourceless discomfort
Preventive medical treatment
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- adherenceFaithful following of something
- early diagnosisIdentifying conditions before progression
- public healthCommunity-level disease prevention
Nations with growing economies
- overcrowdingCapacity exceeded dangerously
- povertySevere lack of resources
- childrenYoung human beings
- adolescentsYouth approaching maturity
indigenous populations · Pacific Islanders · sub-Saharan Africa · South Asia · prevalence · incidence · socioeconomic factors · healthcare access
carditis
Heart inflammation condition
- murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
- endocarditisInflamed inner heart lining
- myocarditisCardiac muscle inflammation
streptococcus
Spherical bacteria in chains
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- pharyngitisInflamed upper airway lining
- group A strepFlesh-eating disease pathogen
antibodies · cross-reactivity · throat culture · rapid strep test · latent period · acute phase · recurrence · sequelae · endemic
penicillin
Fungus-derived infection fighter
- aspirinAcetylsalicylic acid tablet
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- amoxicillinPenicillin-type bacteria killer
erythromycin · azithromycin · anti-inflammatory · prednisone · bed rest · intramuscular injection · NSAIDs · naproxen · hospitalization · pain management
chorea
Involuntary jerking muscle disorder
- joint swellingInflammation at body hinges
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
prophylaxis
Preventive medical treatment
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- adherenceFaithful following of something
- early diagnosisIdentifying conditions before progression
developing countries
Nations with growing economies
- overcrowdingCapacity exceeded dangerously
- povertySevere lack of resources
- childrenYoung human beings
adolescents · indigenous populations · Pacific Islanders · sub-Saharan Africa · South Asia · prevalence · incidence · socioeconomic factors · healthcare access · global health
- heart infectionsendocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis
- childhood ailmentschickenpox, measles, mumps, croup, ear infection
- feversparatyphoid
- bacterial infectionsanthrax, botulism, cholera, diphtheria, lockjaw
- Old Diseasesplague, smallpox, cholera, typhus, typhoid
- rheumatic diseaseslupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, gout, vasculitis