Rheumatic fever (or acute articular rheumatism) is a disease that can affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin.
It is an inflammatory disease that can occur after an infection with streptococcus bacteria (such as strep throat or scarlet fever).
The disease can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain.
Rheumatic fever is preceded by a streptococcal infection, usually in the throat, occurring 1 to 6 weeks before the onset of symptoms.
It is probably an autoimmune condition, where the antibodies produced to attack the bacteria also attack the tissues of the joints or the heart.
Inflammation of the joints characterized by: Pain, redness, swelling and heat, which can move from one joint to another.
It mainly affects wrists, elbows, knees or ankles. Joint inflammation usually subsides in 10 to 14 days, but without treatment, it can spread to other joints.
- Fever, fatigue, paleness.
- Loss of appetite, general malaise.
- Abdominal pain, chest pain.
- Mild skin rashes on chest, back and abdomen.
- Small, painless lumps under the skin in bony areas such as elbows or knees.
If it affects the heart:
- panting breath
- Fluid retention with swelling of the legs and back.
- Rapid pulse, especially in lying position.
- Uncontrollable movements of the arms and legs (chorea) when it affects the brain.