Rheumatic Fever

Rheumatic fever (RF) is an disease which will involve the guts, joints, skin, and brain. The disease typically develops two to four weeks after a streptococcal streptococcal sore throat . Signs and symptoms of Rheumatic fever include fever, multiple painful joints, smooth muscle movements, and infrequently a characteristic non-itchy rash referred to as erythema marginatum. The heart is involved in about half the cases. Damage to the guts valves, referred to as rheumatic heart condition (RHD), usually occurs after repeated attacks but can sometimes occur after one. The damaged valves may result in heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and infection of the valves. If the infection is left untreated, infectious disease occurs in up to 3 percent of individuals. The underlying mechanism is believed to involve the assembly of antibodies against an individual's own tissues. Due to their genetics, some people are more likely to urge the disease when exposed to the bacteria than others. Other risk factors include malnutrition and poverty. The diagnosis of RF is often based on the presence of signs and symptoms in combination with evidence of a recent streptococcal infection.