Can rheumatic fever cause heart problems later in life?

In some cases, the inflammation causes long-term complications. Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart (rheumatic heart disease). It usually occurs 10 to 20 years after the original illness, but severe cases of rheumatic fever can cause damage to the heart valves while your child still has symptoms.

Can rheumatic fever be chronic?

Rheumatic heart disease describes a group of short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) heart disorders that are caused by rheumatic fever. It usually occurs 10-20 years after the initial illness.

What is the main difference between rheumatic heart disease RHD and acute rheumatic fever ARF )?

ARF is an illness that can affect the skin, joints, brain and heart. The skin, joints and brain recover from ARF, but the heart can suffer lasting damage. The lasting heart damage that remains after an episode of ARF is called rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Can rheumatic fever cause arthritis later in life?

However, the associated arthritis may last for some time. Heart inflammation (carditis), chorea and arthritis are complications of rheumatic fever that can occur singly or in combination.

Why would rheumatic fever affect the heart?

How does rheumatic fever damage the heart? This infection causes swelling and muscle damage to the heart. It can also damage the heart valves in a way that keeps the blood from moving through the heart normally. The infection can cause heart valve leaflets to stick together, which narrows the valve opening.

What is chronic rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. The heart valve damage may start shortly after untreated or under-treated streptococcal infection such as strep throat or scarlet fever.

What is the difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart.

How do you prevent rheumatic fever recurrence?

The most reliable method of preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever is prolonged prophylaxis (≥5 years) of previously affected individuals with intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin (1 200 000 units every 4 weeks† ).

Why does streptococcus cause rheumatic fever?

Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause strep throat and scarlet fever. It usually takes about 1 to 5 weeks after strep throat or scarlet fever for rheumatic fever to develop. Rheumatic fever is thought to be caused by a response of the body’s defense system — the immune system.

What is the most common complication of rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever can cause long-term complications in certain situations. One of the most prevalent complications is rheumatic heart disease. Other heart conditions include: Aortic valve stenosis.

Does rheumatic fever weaken the heart?

Serious Complications Include Long-term Heart Damage If rheumatic fever is not treated promptly, long-term heart damage (called rheumatic heart disease) may occur. Rheumatic heart disease weakens the valves between the chambers of the heart. Severe rheumatic heart disease can require heart surgery and result in death.

Why does rheumatic fever affect the heart?

What happens if rheumatic fever is not treated?

If rheumatic fever is not treated promptly, long-term heart damage (called rheumatic heart disease) may occur. Rheumatic heart disease weakens the valves between the chambers of the heart. Severe rheumatic heart disease can require heart surgery and result in death.

Who is at greatest risk of developing rheumatic fever?

People who live in overcrowded and poor conditions are at greatest risk of developing the disease. Where rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are endemic, rheumatic heart disease is the principal heart disease seen in pregnant women, causing significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

What is acute rheumatic fever (ARF)?

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) results from the body’s autoimmune response to a throat infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as the group A Streptococcus bacteria. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) refers to the long-term cardiac damage caused by either a single severe episode or multiple recurrent episodes of ARF.

What is the pathophysiology of rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is a disease that can affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin. It may develop after strep throat or scarlet fever infections that are not treated properly. Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep.