Which are the symptoms of Rheumatic Fever?

See the worst symptoms of affected by Rheumatic Fever here

Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever

Rheumatic fever is a serious inflammatory condition that can develop as a complication of untreated strep throat or scarlet fever. It primarily affects children between the ages of 5 and 15, but can also occur in adults. Rheumatic fever can cause long-term damage to the heart, joints, skin, and brain if left untreated. Recognizing the symptoms is crucial for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Fever: One of the most common symptoms of rheumatic fever is a sudden onset of high fever. The body temperature may rise above 101°F (38.3°C) and persist for several days.

Joint Pain: Joint pain, also known as arthralgia, is a hallmark symptom of rheumatic fever. It typically affects multiple joints, especially the knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists. The pain may migrate from one joint to another and is often accompanied by swelling, redness, and warmth.

Cardiac Symptoms: Rheumatic fever can cause inflammation of the heart, leading to various cardiac symptoms. These may include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can result in damage to the heart valves, leading to a condition called rheumatic heart disease.

Skin Rash: A characteristic rash called erythema marginatum may develop in some individuals with rheumatic fever. It appears as pink or red, non-itchy, and slightly raised patches with well-defined borders. The rash typically occurs on the trunk and limbs and may come and go over a period of weeks.

Sydenham's Chorea: Sydenham's chorea is a neurological manifestation of rheumatic fever that affects a small percentage of individuals. It is characterized by involuntary, purposeless movements of the limbs, face, and trunk. These movements may be jerky, rapid, or writhing in nature. Other associated symptoms may include muscle weakness, slurred speech, and difficulty with fine motor skills.

Swollen Lymph Nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes, particularly in the neck region, may be observed in some cases of rheumatic fever. These swollen glands are usually tender to touch and may be accompanied by sore throat or difficulty swallowing.

Fatigue and Weakness: Rheumatic fever can cause general fatigue and weakness, which may be attributed to the body's immune response and the strain on the heart.

Other Symptoms: Additional symptoms that may be present in some individuals include abdominal pain, nosebleeds, headaches, and a general feeling of being unwell.

If you or your child experience any of these symptoms, especially after a recent episode of strep throat or scarlet fever, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Rheumatic fever requires immediate treatment with antibiotics to eradicate the underlying streptococcal infection and prevent further complications.

Diseasemaps

Rheumatic fever mainly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15 years old who have had strep throat or scarlet fever. If it occurs, develops in 14 to 28 days after these diseases.

The symptoms may affect various body systems. In general, the symptoms include:

Fever
Nosebleeds
Pain in the abdomen
Problems in the heart, which may not have symptoms, or may result in shortness of breath and chest pain
The symptoms in the joints can be:

Cause pain, swelling, redness and heat
Primarily occur on knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists
Change or pass from one joint to another
Changes may occur in the skin, such as:

Eruptions on the skin in the form of a ring or snake skin on the trunk and the upper part of the arms and legs
Bumps or nodules on the skin
A disorder that affects the brain and nervous system, called sydenham's Chorea, may also occur. The symptoms of this disorder are:

Loss of control of the emotions, with episodes of crying or laughing unusual
Sudden and rapid movements affecting primarily the face, feet and hands