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.

cardiac

carditis

Heart inflammation condition

pericarditis

pathology

streptococcus

Spherical bacteria in chains

antibodies · cross-reactivity · throat culture · rapid strep test · latent period · acute phase · recurrence · sequelae · endemic

treatment

penicillin

Fungus-derived infection fighter

erythromycin · azithromycin · anti-inflammatory · prednisone · bed rest · intramuscular injection · NSAIDs · naproxen · hospitalization · pain management

symptoms

chorea

Involuntary jerking muscle disorder

malaise · tachycardia · C-reactive protein · leukocytosis

prevention

prophylaxis

Preventive medical treatment

public health

epidemiology

developing countries

Nations with growing economies

adolescents · indigenous populations · Pacific Islanders · sub-Saharan Africa · South Asia · prevalence · incidence · socioeconomic factors · healthcare access · global health

Categories
Family

fever, arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatic

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