Can you have rheumatic fever without knowing?

Rheumatic fever usually occurs about two to four weeks after a strep throat infection, and can be so mild you don’t even know you have it. The symptoms vary and may include: Fever. Painful and tender joints, most often the ankles, knees, elbows or wrists.

What is the best treatment for rheumatic fever?

Treatments include: Antibiotics. Your child’s doctor will prescribe penicillin or another antibiotic to eliminate remaining strep bacteria. After your child has completed the full antibiotic treatment, your doctor will begin another course of antibiotics to prevent recurrence of rheumatic fever.

Can rheumatic fever be cured?

Rheumatic fever doesn’t have a cure, but treatments can manage the condition. Getting a precise diagnosis soon after symptoms show up can prevent the disease from causing permanent damage. Severe complications are rare. When they occur, they may affect the heart, joints, nervous system or skin.

What is the most common finding in rheumatic fever?

The most common symptoms are: sore throat; swollen, red tonsils; fever; headache; and joint and muscle aches, especially in the knees. The most serious problem that can be caused by rheumatic fever is rheumatic heart disease.

How long does rheumatic fever last?

Inflammation caused by rheumatic fever can last a few weeks to several months. In some cases, the inflammation causes long-term complications. Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart (rheumatic heart disease).

What does a rheumatic fever rash look like?

A flat, painless rash with a wavy edge (erythema marginatum) may appear as the other symptoms subside. It lasts for only a short time, sometimes less than a day. This photo shows the flat, painless rash with a wavy edge that may appear with rheumatic fever.

How long can rheumatic fever last?

What tests confirm rheumatic fever?

Many Tests, Considerations Help Doctors Diagnose Rheumatic Fever

• A throat swab to look for a group A strep infection.
• A blood test to look for antibodies that would show if the patient recently had a group A strep infection.
• A test of how well the heart is working (electrocardiogram or EKG)

Is rheumatic fever serious?

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.

Who is at high risk for rheumatic fever?

The incidence of acute rheumatic fever is highest in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. Acute rheumatic fever is very rare in children 3 years of age and younger in the United States.