overview
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can occur if a sore throat or scarlet fever is not treated properly. Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by an infection with the strep bacteria (strep-toe-KOK-us).
Rheumatic fever most commonly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15, although it can develop in young children and adults. Although strep throat is common, rheumatic fever is rare in the United States and other developed countries. However, rheumatic fever is still widespread in many developing countries. Rheumatic fever Treatment in Nizamabad
Rheumatic fever can cause permanent heart damage, including damaged heart valves and heart failure. Treatments can reduce inflammation damage, relieve pain and other symptoms, and prevent rheumatic fever from returning.
symptom
The symptoms of rheumatic fever vary. You may have fewer or more symptoms, and symptoms may change as the disease progresses. The onset of rheumatic fever usually occurs around two to four weeks after a sore throat. Rheumatic fever Treatment in Nizamabad
The signs and symptoms of rheumatic fever that result from inflammation of the heart, joints, skin, or central nervous system can include:
- fever
- Painful and tender joints – mostly in the knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists
- Pain in one joint that moves to another joint
- Red, hot, or swollen joints
- Small, painless bumps under the skin
- Chest pain
- Heart murmur
- Tired
- Flat or raised, painless rash with an uneven edge
The reasons
Rheumatic fever can occur after an infection of the throat with a bacterium called group A streptococci. Group A throat infections cause sore throats or, less commonly, scarlet fever.
Group A strep infections of the skin or other parts of the body rarely cause rheumatic fever.
The link between strep infection and rheumatic fever is unclear, but bacteria seem to be tricking the immune system.
Strep bacteria contain a protein that is similar to that found in certain tissues in the body. The body’s immune system, which normally targets bacteria that cause infections, attacks its own tissues, particularly the tissues of the heart, joints, skin, and central nervous system. This immune system reaction causes the tissues to swell (inflammation). Rheumatic fever Treatment in Nizamabad
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of developing rheumatic fever include
Family history. Some people carry a gene or genes that make them more likely to develop rheumatic fever.
Type of streptococcal bacteria. Certain strains of strep bacteria are more likely to contribute to rheumatic fever than other strains.
Environmental factors. A higher risk of rheumatic fever is associated with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and other conditions that can easily lead to rapid transmission or multiple exposure to strep bacteria.
prevention
The only way to prevent rheumatic fever is to treat strep or scarlet fever immediately with a full course of appropriate antibiotics.