Rheumatic Fever |
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that sometimes develops after a case of scarlet fever or strep throat. It was once common and highly feared but in North America today it now affects less than 0.3 per cent of those with a throat infection. When it does occur rheumatic fever typically strikes children between the ages of 5 and 15 although adults are not immune. While relatively rare rheumatic fever should not be taken lightly. It is a serious illness that can cause damage to the joints and heart. In the latter case it can be deadly. Symptoms Symptoms of rheumatic fever will appear anywhere from one to six weeks after a case of strep throat or scarlet fever and may include any of the following in a variety of combinations:
Causes Think of rheumatic fever as "friendly fire". The body reacts to scarlet fever or the streptococcus bacteria that causes strep throat by sending out antibodies to ward off the attack. But instead they get confused and target healthy tissue especially in the heart and joints. Treatment The key is to prevent the original illness from developing into rheumatic fever. This can usually be successfully accomplished with the use of penicillin or other antibiotics. To help prevent a recurrence of the disease and serious damage to the heart and other complications the medication may have to be taken regularly for a number of years. |