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Aug 26
Rheumatic fever is a rare inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of untreated strep throat or scarlet fever. It primarily affects children between the ages of 5 and 15, although it can also occur in adults.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever can include fever, joint pain and swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, skin rash, and nodules under the skin. If left untreated, rheumatic fever can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic heart disease, which can cause damage to the heart valves.
Treatment for rheumatic fever typically involves antibiotics to treat the underlying strep infection, as well as anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms. In some cases, long-term treatment with antibiotics may be necessary to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Prevention of rheumatic fever involves prompt treatment of strep throat with antibiotics to prevent the development of the disease. It is important for individuals with a history of rheumatic fever to take antibiotics before certain medical procedures to prevent the risk of infection.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever can include fever, joint pain and swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, skin rash, and nodules under the skin. If left untreated, rheumatic fever can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic heart disease, which can cause damage to the heart valves.
Treatment for rheumatic fever typically involves antibiotics to treat the underlying strep infection, as well as anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms. In some cases, long-term treatment with antibiotics may be necessary to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Prevention of rheumatic fever involves prompt treatment of strep throat with antibiotics to prevent the development of the disease. It is important for individuals with a history of rheumatic fever to take antibiotics before certain medical procedures to prevent the risk of infection.
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Google Gemini AI
Aug 26
Rheumatic Fever
Definition:
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that can develop after an untreated streptococcal bacterial infection, specifically group A streptococcus (GAS). It primarily affects children and young adults, causing inflammation in the joints, heart, brain, and skin.
Causes:
Streptococcal infections, particularly those that are not treated adequately with antibiotics or treated late, can trigger an immune response in the body. This immune response leads to the production of antibodies that mistakenly attack healthy tissues in the body, causing inflammation.
Symptoms:
- Acute symptoms:
- Fever
- Joint pain (polyarthritis), especially in large joints like knees, ankles, and elbows
- Swollen and painful joints
- Skin rash (erythema marginatum)
- Heart murmur
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Long-term complications (rheumatic heart disease):
- Heart valve damage
- Heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis)
- Heart failure
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of rheumatic fever is based on a medical history of a recent streptococcal infection, physical examination, and laboratory tests:
- Blood tests to detect antibodies against streptococcus (ASO or anti-DNAse B)
- Echocardiogram to assess heart valve function
Treatment:
- Immediate treatment:
- Antibiotics to eliminate the streptococcal infection
- Long-term treatment:
- Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs or steroids)
- Penicillin or other antibiotics to prevent recurrences of streptococcal infections
- Surgery to repair damaged heart valves if necessary
Prevention:
- Prompt treatment of streptococcal infections with antibiotics
- Good dental hygiene to prevent dental cavities, which can harbor streptococcus bacteria
Prognosis:
- With early diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms of rheumatic fever typically resolve within a few weeks or months.
- Untreated rheumatic fever can lead to serious complications, including permanent heart damage and heart failure.
- Regular antibiotic prophylaxis can prevent recurrences of streptococcal infections and reduce the risk of rheumatic heart disease.
Definition:
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that can develop after an untreated streptococcal bacterial infection, specifically group A streptococcus (GAS). It primarily affects children and young adults, causing inflammation in the joints, heart, brain, and skin.
Causes:
Streptococcal infections, particularly those that are not treated adequately with antibiotics or treated late, can trigger an immune response in the body. This immune response leads to the production of antibodies that mistakenly attack healthy tissues in the body, causing inflammation.
Symptoms:
- Acute symptoms:
- Fever
- Joint pain (polyarthritis), especially in large joints like knees, ankles, and elbows
- Swollen and painful joints
- Skin rash (erythema marginatum)
- Heart murmur
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Long-term complications (rheumatic heart disease):
- Heart valve damage
- Heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis)
- Heart failure
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of rheumatic fever is based on a medical history of a recent streptococcal infection, physical examination, and laboratory tests:
- Blood tests to detect antibodies against streptococcus (ASO or anti-DNAse B)
- Echocardiogram to assess heart valve function
Treatment:
- Immediate treatment:
- Antibiotics to eliminate the streptococcal infection
- Long-term treatment:
- Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs or steroids)
- Penicillin or other antibiotics to prevent recurrences of streptococcal infections
- Surgery to repair damaged heart valves if necessary
Prevention:
- Prompt treatment of streptococcal infections with antibiotics
- Good dental hygiene to prevent dental cavities, which can harbor streptococcus bacteria
Prognosis:
- With early diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms of rheumatic fever typically resolve within a few weeks or months.
- Untreated rheumatic fever can lead to serious complications, including permanent heart damage and heart failure.
- Regular antibiotic prophylaxis can prevent recurrences of streptococcal infections and reduce the risk of rheumatic heart disease.
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