Symptoms and Signs of Rheumatic Fever

Doctor's Notes on Rheumatic Fever

Rheumatic fever is a complication of strep throat caused by infections of group A streptococcal bacteria that can cause damage to the heart, brain, joints, and skin. 

The main symptom is a fever (usually under 102 degrees F) that occurs 1-5 weeks after a bout of strep throat. Other symptoms of rheumatic fever include:

• joint swelling and pain (arthritis, often in the large joints such as knees, shoulders, and hips), 
• heart problems (inflammation and eventual destruction of heart valves that can lead to heart failure), 
• Sydenham's chorea (sudden involuntary movements of muscles due to irritation of specific areas of the brain), 
• skin problems (erythema marginatum, 
• a pink rash that looks serpentine and surrounds areas of normal looking skin), and 
• round and painless lumps over bones such as the knees and elbows.

What Is the Treatment for Rheumatic Fever?

• The first step in treatment is to ensure that the underlying infection is controlled. 
• If the underlying cause is a Streptococcus infection, antibiotics are used. Once the immunologic response has begun that causes rheumatic fever, however, treatment of the infection may not change the development of the condition.
• Anti-inflammatory medications and pain control medications are used to manage joint pain.
• High-dose steroids or other medications are usually needed to manage heart problems related to rheumatic fever.
• If chorea is present, specialized medications may be given to manage this symptom.