Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is a common recurrent acute or chronic inflammation of connective tissues that mainly affects the heart, joints, central nervous system, skin, and subcutaneous tissue. The clinical manifestations are mainly carditis and arthritis, which can be accompanied by fever, toxemia, rash, subcutaneous nodules, and chorea. It usually occurs 2 to 4 weeks after streptococcal infection. It is an allergic disease to group A hemolytic streptococcus infection in the pharynx. Arthritis is usually more pronounced during acute attacks, but rheumatic carditis can cause death in this stage. Heart attacks of varying severity are often left after an acute attack.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.