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01-03-2013, 11:57 PM
Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever
Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is caused due to Group A Streptococcus bacteria and it develops after an attack of strep throat or scarlet fever. It can affect the body adversely if **t treated and can permanently damage the heart, joints and brain.
According to researchers, rheumatic fever is a delayed autoimmune reaction to the bacterial infection and it can be prevent with timely diag**sis and treatment of strep throat and scarlet fever. The treatment involves the use of low-dose antibiotics.
Rheumatic fever is uncommon in the United States but does occur in children who do **t receive treatment for strep throat or do **t complete the entire 10-day course of the treatment.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever start appearing around one to five weeks after streptococcus infection. The most common symptoms are as follows:
o Many children suffer from swelling and tenderness of joints. Usually larger joints like the knees, wrists, elbows and ankles are affected and the inflammation is **t symmetrical as in arthritis. It is rare to see rheumatic fever affecting the fingers and other smaller joints.
o Many children can end up suffering from uncontrolled jerky movements of the limbs and face. This is k**wn as chorea and you can generally spot this either by observing the movements or **ting a change in the handwriting.
o Those suffering from rheumatic fever get a characteristic red rash that usually starts on the upper arms and then spreads to the rest of the body in a winding manner. This rash is k**wn as erythema marginatum and does **t affect the skin on the face.
o Small hard **dules start growing below the surface of the skin
o Fever
o Abdominal pain
o Weight loss
o Fatigue
Since some of the symptoms of rheumatic fever are very similar to other medical conditions, it is always best to consult a doctor to get a diag**sis before starting treatment[/
DR HESHAM ALKAZZAZ
Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is caused due to Group A Streptococcus bacteria and it develops after an attack of strep throat or scarlet fever. It can affect the body adversely if **t treated and can permanently damage the heart, joints and brain.
According to researchers, rheumatic fever is a delayed autoimmune reaction to the bacterial infection and it can be prevent with timely diag**sis and treatment of strep throat and scarlet fever. The treatment involves the use of low-dose antibiotics.
Rheumatic fever is uncommon in the United States but does occur in children who do **t receive treatment for strep throat or do **t complete the entire 10-day course of the treatment.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever start appearing around one to five weeks after streptococcus infection. The most common symptoms are as follows:
o Many children suffer from swelling and tenderness of joints. Usually larger joints like the knees, wrists, elbows and ankles are affected and the inflammation is **t symmetrical as in arthritis. It is rare to see rheumatic fever affecting the fingers and other smaller joints.
o Many children can end up suffering from uncontrolled jerky movements of the limbs and face. This is k**wn as chorea and you can generally spot this either by observing the movements or **ting a change in the handwriting.
o Those suffering from rheumatic fever get a characteristic red rash that usually starts on the upper arms and then spreads to the rest of the body in a winding manner. This rash is k**wn as erythema marginatum and does **t affect the skin on the face.
o Small hard **dules start growing below the surface of the skin
o Fever
o Abdominal pain
o Weight loss
o Fatigue
Since some of the symptoms of rheumatic fever are very similar to other medical conditions, it is always best to consult a doctor to get a diag**sis before starting treatment[/
DR HESHAM ALKAZZAZ