Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of untreated or poorly treated strep throat or scarlet fever, caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It typically affects children aged 5-15 but can occur in adults. The condition arises when the immune system, in response to the bacterial infection, mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, particularly in the heart, joints, skin, and brain.

Key Features:

•  Symptoms:

•  Fever

•  Painful, swollen joints (polyarthritis), often migratory

•  Heart inflammation (carditis), which can damage heart valves

•  Skin rash (erythema marginatum)

•  Subcutaneous nodules

•  Sydenham chorea (involuntary movements)

•  Diagnosis: Based on the Jones Criteria, which include evidence of prior strep infection (e.g., positive throat culture, elevated ASO titers) plus major and minor clinical findings.

•  Complications: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), particularly mitral or aortic valve damage, is the most serious outcome, potentially leading to heart failure.