“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Rheumatic fever is a serious inflammatory condition that can occur as a complication of untreated or poorly treated strep throat or scarlet fever caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It primarily affects children between the ages of 5 and 15, but can occur in adults as well.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever can include fever, joint pain, swollen and tender joints, skin rash, and heart palpitations. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including damage to the heart valves, which can cause heart failure or other cardiac problems.
The treatment for rheumatic fever typically involves antibiotics to treat the underlying infection, as well as medications to relieve inflammation and pain. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
Prevention of rheumatic fever involves prompt and effective treatment of strep throat or scarlet fever with antibiotics to prevent the development of the condition. People who have had rheumatic fever in the past are at higher risk of developing it again, so they may need to take preventive antibiotics to avoid recurrent infections.