Overview
Rheumatic fever is an illness that can follow an untreated streptococcal throat infection, mostly in children, in which the body's own defences mistakenly attack the joints, heart, skin and brain. It remains an important problem in India because it can permanently damage the heart valves, leading to rheumatic heart disease years later. The key to preventing it is simple: treat a bacterial sore throat with the full antibiotic course so the infection does not trigger this reaction.
Symptoms
- Fever and painful, swollen joints that move from one to another
- Chest pain, breathlessness or a racing heart
- Jerky, uncontrolled body movements
- A painless rash or small lumps under the skin
- Tiredness following a recent sore throat
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for fever with joint pains or chest symptoms after a sore throat, and always complete antibiotics prescribed for a bacterial sore throat.
Causes
An abnormal immune reaction after an untreated or partly treated streptococcal (bacterial) throat infection.