Diseases
rheumatic fever
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Rheumatic fever is a condition that can inflame or make the heart, joints, brain, and skin swell. Rheumatic fever is thought to be an immune response to an earlier infection. As the body's defense system, the immune system is important in fighting off infections.
Symptoms
- fever
- chest pain
- 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
Causes
- rheumatic fever can occur after a throat infection from a bacteria called group a streptococcus.
Risk factors
- genes.
- specific type of strep bacteria.
- environmental factors.
Diagnosis
- blood tests.
- electrocardiogram (ecg or ekg).
- echocardiogram.
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever is a condition that can inflame or make the heart, joints, brain, and skin swell. Rheumatic fever is thought to be an immune response to an earlier infection. As the body's defense system, the immune system is important in fighting off infections.
What are the symptoms of rheumatic fever?
fever, chest pain, 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
What causes rheumatic fever?
rheumatic fever can occur after a throat infection from a bacteria called group a streptococcus.
Which medicines are used for rheumatic fever?
benzathine penicillin g, phenoxymethyl penicillin
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