Etiology
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Acute rheumatic fever is a systemic disease of childhood, often recurrent that follows group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infection.
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It is a diffuse inflammatory disease of connective tissue, primarily involving heart, blood vessels, joints, subcutaneous tissues and CNS
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It is a delayed non-suppurative sequelae to URTI with GABH streptococci.
Microbe Group A Streptococcus
Features of Acute Rheumatic Fever
- Autoimmune consequence of infection with Group A streptococcal infection
- Results in a generalised inflammatory response affecting brains, joints, skin, subcutaneous tissues and the heart.
- The clinical presentation can be vague and difficult to diagnose.
- Currently the modified Duckett-Jones criteria form the basis of the diagnosis of the condition. History is primary way to diagnose rheumatic fever
Therapeutics of Rheumatic Fever Treatment
Surgical Care Y
When heart failure persists or worsens after aggressive medical therapy for acute rheumatic heart disease, surgery to decrease valve insufficiency may be life-saving.
40%of patients with acute rheumatic heart disease subsequently develop mitral stenosis as adults.
valve replacement appears to be the preferred surgical option
Prognosis Y
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Rheumatic fever can recur whenever the individual experience new GABH streptococcal infection,if not on prophylactic medicines
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Good prognosis for older age group & if no carditis during the initial attack
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Bad prognosis for younger children & those with carditis with valvar lesions