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Rheumatic Fever
Alternate Names : Acute Rheumatic Fever
Definition Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease which may develop after an infection with streptococcus bacteria (such as strep throat or scarlet fever) and can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Rheumatic fever is common worldwide and is responsible for many cases of damaged heart valves. While it is far less common in the U.S. since the beginning of the 20th century, there have been a few outbreaks since the 1980s.
Rheumatic fever primarily affects children between ages 6 and 15 and occurs approximately 20 days after strep throat or scarlet fever. In up to a third of cases, the underlying strep infection may not have caused any symptoms.
The rate of development of rheumatic fever in individuals with untreated strep infection is estimated to be 3%. Persons who have suffered a case of rheumatic fever have a tendency to develop flare-ups with repeated strep infections.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Rheumatic Fever Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Rheumatic Fever Symptoms & Signs
• Rheumatic Fever Prevention
• Rheumatic Fever Diagnosis & Tests
• Rheumatic Fever Treatment
• Rheumatic Fever Prognosis
• Rheumatic Fever Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Arrhythmias
• Arthritis
• Endocarditis
• Heart Failure
• Mitral Stenosis
• Myocarditis
• Pericarditis
• Scarlet Fever
• Strep Throat
Tests & Exams
• ASO Titer
• ESR
Other Topics
• Fever
• Movement - Unpredictable or Jerky
• Nosebleed
• Subcutaneous
Review Date : 8/11/2003
Reviewed By : Kenneth Wener, M.D., Department of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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