Rheumatic fever

Overview Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop when strep throat or scarlet fever isn't properly treated. Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by an infection with streptococcus (strep-toe-KOK-us) bacteria. Rheumatic fever most often affects children ages 5 to 15. But it can develop in younger children and adults. Although strep throat is common, rheumatic fever is rare in the United States and other developed countries. Symptoms Rheumatic fever symptoms result from inflammation in the heart, joints, skin or central nervous system. There may be few symptoms or several. Symptoms can change during the course of the disease. The onset of rheumatic fever usually occurs about 2 to 4 weeks after a strep throat infection. Rheumatic fever signs and symptoms can include: • Fever • Painful and tender joints — most often in the knees, ankles, elbows and wrists • Pain in one joint that migrates to another joint • Red, hot or swollen joints • Chest pain • Fatigue • Flat or slightly raised, painless rash with a ragged edge • Heart murmur • Jerky, uncontrollable body movements (Sydenham chorea) — most often in the hands, feet and face • Outbursts of unusual behavior, such as crying or inappropriate laughing, that accompanies Sydenham chorea • Small, painless bumps beneath the skin When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your child's health care provider if any of these signs or symptoms of strep throat occur: • Sore throat that comes on suddenly • Pain wh...

Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021. Rheumatic fever is a complication of untreated strep throat that can be life-threatening. Thanks to antibiotics, rheumatic fever is rare in the U.S. and other developed countries. It can cause permanent damage to the heart and heart failure. It is most common in children ages 5 to 15 years old. Causes Rheumatic fever is an inflammation in the heart, joints, skin or central nervous system that can occur following inadequately treated strep throat or scarlet fever. These diseases are caused by an infection of Group A streptococcus bacteria. Proper treatment of strep can prevent rheumatic fever. Doctors aren’t sure why there is a link between the strep bacteria and rheumatic fever. The strep bacteria seems to trick the immune system into attacking certain body tissues, which causes the fever. The resulting inflammation can cause long-term problems, including rheumatic heart disease. Symptoms Rheumatic fever usually occurs about two to four weeks after a strep throat infection, and can be so mild you don’t even know you have it. The symptoms vary and may include: • Fever. • Painful and tender joints, most often the ankle...

Rheumatic fever is one of the complications associated with strep throat. It’s a relatively serious illness that usually appears in children between the ages of 5 and 15. However, older children and adults have been known to contract the illness as well. It’s still common in places such as sub-Saharan Africa, south central Asia, and among certain populations in Australia and New Zealand. It’s rare in the United States. Share on Pinterest Rheumatic fever is caused by a reaction to the bacterium that causes strep throat. Although not all cases of strep throat result in rheumatic fever, this serious complication may be prevented with a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment of strep throat. If your or your child have a sore throat along with any of the following symptoms, see your doctor for an evaluation: • tender and • • • • temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or above • • tonsils with • small, red spots on the roof of the mouth • • • A wide variety of symptoms are associated with rheumatic fever. A person with the illness could experience a few, some, or most of the following symptoms. Symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after your child has a strep infection. Common symptoms of rheumatic fever include: • small, painless • • • • nosebleeds • • • pain in one joint that moves to another joint • red, • • • • vomiting • a flat, slightly raised, ragged rash • jerky, • • outbursts of crying or inappropriate laughter If your child has a fever, they might require • For newborns to 6-wee...

Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune condition that inflames your child’s tissues, such as their joints and heart. Another name for the disease is acute rheumatic fever. It occurs when your child’s immune system overreacts to an untreated strep throat or scarlet fever infection. One of the most common symptoms of the disease is a red, jagged rash. Overview What is rheumatic fever? Rheumatic fever is a rare Strep throat and scarlet fever are both bacterial infections caused by group A Streptococcus. If your child doesn’t receive treatment for these infections, their immune system may attack its own tissues. This can cause swelling and Scarlet fever vs. rheumatic fever Scarlet fever and strep throat are Streptococcus infections. A type of bacteria called group A Streptococcus causes both infections. Healthcare providers treat them with antibiotics. Rheumatic fever is a very rare complication of scarlet fever and strep throat. It can happen when one of these infections goes untreated. How common is rheumatic fever? While strep infections are common in the United States, rheumatic fever isn’t. Because Rheumatic fever happens more often in places with limited resources, such as resource-poor countries. But it can occur in the U.S., especially in areas with limited access to medical care. Symptoms and Causes Rheumatic fever is a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of your child’s tissues and organs. What are the symptoms of rheumatic fever? Rheumatic fever can affect pe...