Rheumatic fever is a serious condition that occurs as a reaction from the body, and it mostly affects children.

Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the body, and it occurs when the immunity system overreacts to certain untreated bacterial infections.

Acute rheumatic fever affects children between the ages of 5 and 15 in most of the cases.

Causes of rheumatic fever

• Rheumatic fever occurs after being infected with group A streptococcus bacteria, which causes sore throat and scarlet fever, and not treating it properly. The reason behind that isn’t clear, but it’s thought that the bacteria maybe tricks the immune system into attacking the body.

Symptoms of rheumatic fever

Symptoms of rheumatic fever typically begin 2-4 weeks after being infected, and they include:

• A red and painless rash with ragged edges, which is a common symptom.
• Fever.
• Pain, swelling, and warmth in the joints, especially in the wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles.
• Chest pain.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Tiny painless bumps under the skin.
• Some children might suffer from jerky, uncontrolled movements, mostly in the face, hands, and feet, in addition to bursts of crying or laughing.
• Joint symptoms can persist for weeks or months.
• Rheumatic fever may also lead to long-lasting heart damage that’s called rheumatic heart disease.

Diagnosis of rheumatic fever

• Blood tests.
• Heart tests.

Treatment of rheumatic fever

• Treating the infection.
• Managing the symptoms.
• The only way to prevent rheumatic fever is to treat streptococcus infections immediately and finish the whole course of treatment.