Treatment of Rheumatism (rheumatic Fever)
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Rheumatic fever is a bacterial infection caused by A. streptococcus bacteria. It mostly affects children aged 5-15 years. It can develop in tennagers and adults as well, but much more rarely. It is one of the complication of the strep throat. Strep throat is an infection which affects back of the throat. It is caused by the same bacteria which leads to development of rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic fever can be very dangerous and even fatal if not treated on time. It can also lead to serious heart problems and even stroke in some cases. Most common A. streptococcus causes only strep throat. In children with weak immune system or who did not undergo proper treatment, it leads to development of rheumatic fever, rarely scarlet fever.
In rheumatic fever body affects its own tissues and it leads to the inflammation process of the whole body. Rheumatic fever can develop 2 to 4 weeks after a child contracted strep throat. If a child has fever longer than 3 days, this is a medical emergency and he/she needs to be shown to the doctor.
After a child has contracted rheumatic fever, symptoms may be present for weeks, even months in severe cases. The most common complications is heart damage, which can lead to heart failure. Some symptoms may be latent for years and manifest themselves already in adulthood.
- Sore throat
- High fever
- Rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Joint pain
- Jerking motions of the arms
- During a general examination the doctor will ask about the symptoms listed above. The doctor will determine how long the child had strep throat and how long he/she had fever.
- The doctor will ask if any of the members of the family had rheumatic fever in their childhood.
- The doctor will examine the body of a child to determine if there is rash or any jerky movements.
- A blood test is used to determine if there is bacteria in the blood which causes rheumatic fever.
- Conservative treatment consists of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs used to kill the bacteria which caused rheumatic fever in the first place and to alleviate the pain and fever.
- Bed rest is important to avoid complications and to precipitate recovery. Bed rest may need to be followed for several weeks if there is danger of heart damage.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko
