Rheumatic fever is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and damage to various body parts, including the heart, joints, skin, and central nervous system. It primarily affects children and adolescents, usually occurring after an untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal throat infection.
The condition is an autoimmune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, triggered by a group A streptococcus infection. It can cause long-term complications, particularly if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Symptoms generally include fever, swollen and painful joints (most commonly the knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists), chest pain, shortness of breath, skin nodules, rash, and movement difficulties.
The inflammation of the heart valves, especially the mitral valve, is a significant concern associated with rheumatic fever. This may lead to valvular disease, such as mitral stenosis or regurgitation, affecting the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. Other complications may include inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis) and the central nervous system (sydenham's chorea), resulting in involuntary jerky movements.
Treatment involves a combination of antibiotics to eliminate the streptococcal infection, anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, and prophylactic antibiotics to prevent future recurrences. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or replace damaged heart valves.
Prevention is critical in managing rheumatic fever, primarily through the prompt treatment of streptococcal throat infections using antibiotics to prevent the development of the condition. Regular check-ups, monitoring of heart health, and adherence to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis are essential to reduce the risk of recurrent episodes and further complications.
