by Vinitha Ramanathan
Description:Rheumatic
Fever is a general immune disease.It
is caused by a recent infection of a streptococcus bacteria, more specifically
a Group A Streptococcus Pyogenes.This
disease can have an effect on the brain, heart, joints, and skin. This
same bacteria is also known to cause strep throat and scarlet fever.Rheumatic
fever is linked to valve disease and various heart disorders.
Victims: Occurs
in both children and adults but is mostly found in children between the
ages of 5 and 15.
Where
is it most likely found:The
Group A Streptococcus Pyogenes is a bacteria which can be found in the
throat and on the skin.
Injury
to victim: Rheumatic fever
can lead to Myocarditis and cause inflammation of heart muscle. Also, it
can also develop into an acute rheumatic fever and then can even be fatal
to the victim.Rheumatic fever may
leave the victim with severe joint and heart troubles.
Number
of Victims:This
disease was thought to be eliminated in the U.S. in the early 1980s but
478 cases had appeared between 1985 and 1998 in Salt lake City alone.Another
source stated that only a o.3% of all people will develop acute rheumatic
fever.
Other
identifying characteristics:
-Rheumatic
fever generally begins with a sore throat and can be prevented with a treatment
of antibiotics.
-Other
symptoms include: abdominal pain, carditis (problems with the heart), polyarthritis
(arthritis in many joints at the same time), chorea (muscle spasms), and
erythema marginatum (a rash).
-There
is a period of 1 to 5 weeks between the symptoms and the time that the
patient can be diagnosed with rheumatic fever.
-Rheumatic
fever can last for more than 3 months
-Victims
are typically left with damaged heart valves
-It
is difficult to diagnose rheumatic fever since there aren't specific tests
for it available
-Rheumatic
fever is contagious
How
to treat it:Antibiotics
such as penicillin and erythromycin are used to treat rheumatic fever.Also,
to decrease pain and inflammation patients can also take aspirin, anti-inflammatory
medications and analgesics.Bed rest
and intake of fluids are also recommended to people to have rheumatic fever.
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