Rheumatic Fever Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Rheumatic fever, or rheumatic fever, is an inflammatory disease that can arise as a result of strep throat infection or scarlet fever that does not receive adequate treatment. Strep throat and scarlet fever itself is caused by an infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria. Rheumatic fever is most often found in children aged 5-15 years, although it can also be experienced by younger children or adults.

Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart, including damage to heart valves and heart failure. The treatment provided can reduce the damage caused by inflammation, reduce pain and other symptoms, and prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever.

Cause

Rheumatic fever can occur after a throat infection caused by Streptococcus group A bacteria. Infection caused by Streptococcus group A in the throat can cause strep throat, and also scarlet fever. However, an infection caused by Streptococcus group A on the skin or other parts of the body rarely causes rheumatic fever.

The relationship between Streptococcus infection and the rheumatic fever has not yet been clearly understood. But it is known that bacteria can affect the body’s immune system. This is because Streptococcus bacteria contain proteins that are similar to proteins found in certain tissues in the body.

The body’s resistance cells that play a role in targeting the bacteria can also attack certain body cells, such as tissue in the heart, joints, skin, and central nervous system. The reaction of the body’s immune system causes inflammation.

Some risk factors that can increase the risk of rheumatic fever are:

• Family history. Some people have certain genes that make them more susceptible to rheumatic fever
• A type of Streptococcus bacteria. Certain types of Streptococcus bacteria are more likely to cause rheumatic fever than other types.
• Environmental factors. A dense environment, poor sanitation, and several other conditions can support the rapid transmission or contagion of Streptococcus bacteria. With this, the risk of rheumatic fever also increases.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of rheumatic fever can vary and can change along with the progression of the disease. Generally, rheumatic fever occurs about 2-4 weeks after a person experiences a strep throat infection.

Signs and symptoms of rheumatic fever – as a result of inflammation in the heart, joints, skin, or central nervous system, can be:

• Fever
• Pain in the joints, often occurring in the knees, ankles, elbows, or wrists
• Pain in one joint that then moves to another joint
• Redness, heat, or swelling in the joint
• A small, painless lump under the skin
• Chest pain
• Extra heart sounds
• Feeling tired
• Redness of the skin with irregular edges, which can be flat or raised
• Sudden and uncontrollable body movements, most often in the hands, feet, and face
• Behavior that is not common, such as laughing or crying that is not appropriate for the situation

Diagnosis

The determination of the diagnosis of rheumatic fever is based on the history of complaints, direct physical examination, and certain supporting examinations. When a person has been diagnosed with a Streptococcus infection, the doctor can perform an additional blood test to detect the presence of antibodies against the bacteria in the blood. Doctors can also check for inflammation in the body by checking C-reactive protein levels and blood sedimentation rates.

In addition, an electrocardiogram (EKG) can be performed by recording electrical signals that take place in the heart. Doctors can see a pattern in the signal that can indicate inflammation in the heart or a decrease in heart function.

An echocardiogram may also be performed, which is an examination using sound waves to display images of the heart. The examination can be done to detect abnormalities in the structure of the heart.

Handling

The purpose of treating rheumatic fever is to kill residual group A Streptococcus bacteria, overcome symptoms, control inflammation, and prevent the recurrence of the disease. Types of treatment that can be recommended by a doctor include:

• Antibiotics. Antibiotics can be prescribed by the doctor to get rid of the rest of the Streptococcus bacteria. The duration of antibiotic administration depends on the results of the physical examination by the doctor, and the doctor can also provide preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of rheumatic fever.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs. Doctors can prescribe anti-pain or anti-inflammatory drugs to help reduce inflammation, fever, and pain.
• Anticonvulsant medication. In individuals who experience involuntary movements, or body movements that cannot be controlled, the doctor can prescribe anticonvulsant drugs.

Prevention

The way to prevent the onset of rheumatic fever is to deal with throat infections caused by Streptococcus or scarlet fever exactly as recommended by the doctor.