Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease : Report of a Study Group, meeting held in Geneva, 30 March - 4 April 1987

Introduction -- Epidemiology of group A streptococcal infections,rheumatic fever,and rheumatic heart disease -- Parthenogenesis of rheumatic fever -- Diagnosis of rheumatic fever -- Prevention of rheumatic fever -- Prevention programmes -- The role of microbiology laboratory -- Clinical aspects -- Conclusion and recommendations

A disease that can result from an inadequately treated streptococcal sore throat or scarlet fever. Rheumatic fever causes inflammation, especially of the heart, blood vessels and joints. It usually takes about 1 to 5 weeks after one of these infections for rheumatic fever to develop. Symptoms include fever and painful, tender joints most commonly in the knees, ankles, elbows and wrists. Symptoms of congestive heart failure include chest pain, shortness of breath and fast heartbeat. Rarely, symptoms can include nodules (painless lumps) near joints or a rash that has pink rings with a clear center. In addition, some patients can develop a new heart murmur, an enlarged heart and fluid around the heart.
Doctors treat symptoms of rheumatic fever with medicines to reduce fever, pain, and general inflammation. In addition, all patients with rheumatic fever should get antibiotics that treat group A strep infections. People who develop rheumatic heart disease (long-term heart damage) with symptoms of heart failure may require medicines to help manage this as well.