Rheumatic fever: definition, signs and treatment
Rheumatic Fever: Definition, Signs, and Treatment
Rheumatic fever: definition, signs and treatment
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that can affect various parts of the human body, causing joint pain and other uncomfortable symptoms.
It usually occurs as an untreated complication of a throat infection, often caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes.
While more common in children and adolescents up to 15 years old, rheumatic fever can also affect people of other age groups.
Frequently observed symptoms include joint swelling and pain, fever above 39°C, muscle weakness, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, leg swelling, leg nodules, and skin rashes.
These symptoms can appear 2 weeks to 6 months after the bacterial infection and may persist for months in some cases.
It is important to pay attention and seek appropriate treatment, as untreated rheumatic fever can cause complications in the cardiac system.
Diagnosis is performed by a general physician, pediatrician, or rheumatologist through symptom analysis, physical examinations, and blood tests. The most common test is the ASLO test, which confirms the infection.
Rheumatic fever is acquired through infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, which triggers an autoimmune response in the body, resulting in the inflammation of healthy tissues. This disease tends to occur in people with a genetic predisposition to the infection.
Treatment: How does it work?
The treatment of rheumatic fever involves the use of antibiotics, such as penicillin, or the administration of Benzathine penicillin injections.
For individuals allergic to penicillin, alternative antibiotics are prescribed. Depending on the severity of the infection, antibiotic injections may need to be repeated every 21 days.
In addition, medications are used to reduce inflammation in the joints, heart care, and rest.
To prevent the disease, it is important to seek appropriate treatment for any throat infection and follow medical guidelines.
For individuals already diagnosed with rheumatic fever, it is crucial to follow the antibiotic treatment and Benzathine penicillin injections correctly.
In severe cases, lifelong use of anticoagulants may be necessary.
The duration of rheumatic fever treatment typically ranges from 6 months to 2 years, depending on complications and cardiac sequelae.
Patients who have had episodes of rheumatic fever are at a higher risk of recurrence when facing new throat infections.
In severe cases and in the absence of proper treatment, rheumatic fever can be fatal. It is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues.
Currently, there is no available vaccine for the prevention of rheumatic fever.
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