Understanding Rheumatic Fever (RF): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Rheumatic Fever (RF)

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause strep throat and scarlet fever- if not treated properly - Rheumatic fever may develop. It usually appears 1 to 5 weeks after strep throat or scarlet fever. It is thought to be caused by a response of the body’s immune system that responds to the earlier strep throat or scarlet fever infection and causes a generalized inflammatory response.

16 people with Rheumatic Fever (RF)

Learn from others who are experiencing Rheumatic Fever (RF).

Signs & symptoms

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. Small, painless bumps beneath the skin. Chest pain. Heart murmur. Fatigue. Flat or slightly raised, painless rash with a ragged edge. Jerky, uncontrollable body movements — most often in the hands, feet and face. Outbursts of unusual behavior, such as crying or inappropriate laughing.

Diagnosis

On physical examination the doctor may look for: arthritis, arthralgia, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules and signs of chorea. Vital signs: Fever > (≥38.5°) Blood tests: elevated CRP or ESR. Cardiac Evaluation: ECG (prolonged PR interval), chest X-RAY, echocardiogram to look for carditis. Evidence of prior GAS infection in one of the following ways: Positive throat culture for group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, Positive rapid streptococcal antigen test, Elevated or rising antistreptococcal antibody titer – Either antistreptolysin O (ASO) or antideoxyribonuclease B (ADB)

Treatment

Antibiotics- to eliminate remaining strep bacteria (even up to 10 years if the patient has had heart inflammation). Anti-inflammatory treatment- Aspirin or Naproxen. In some cases corticosteroid. Anticonvulsant medications. For severe involuntary movements caused by Sydenham chorea

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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