What is the main cause of rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart, joints, skin, or brain. The heart valves can be inflamed and become scarred over time.

Can rheumatic fever be cured?

Rheumatic fever doesn’t have a cure, but treatments can manage the condition. Getting a precise diagnosis soon after symptoms show up can prevent the disease from causing permanent damage. Severe complications are rare. When they occur, they may affect the heart, joints, nervous system or skin.

What causes acute rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is thought to be caused by a response of the body’s defense system — the immune system. The immune system responds to the earlier strep throat or scarlet fever infection and causes a generalized inflammatory response.

How do you prevent rheumatic heart disease?

Ideally, ARF and RHD can be prevented. Antibiotic therapy (such as penicillin) to treat GroupA Streptococcus throat infection can dramatically reduce the risk of ARF and its complication, rheumatic heart disease. If ARF or RHD do occur, long-term antibiotics can reduce progression to more severe disease.

What is the most common and serious problem that develops in a person with rheumatic heart disease?

The most common form of rheumatic heart disease affects the heart valves. It may take several years after an episode of rheumatic fever for valve damage to develop or symptoms to appear.

Who is at high risk for rheumatic fever?

The incidence of acute rheumatic fever is highest in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. Acute rheumatic fever is very rare in children 3 years of age and younger in the United States. First-onset acute rheumatic fever is rare in adults, although recurrence may occur through adulthood.

Which is the best definition of rheumatic carditis?

In rheumatic carditis, the development of leaflet fusion after the formation of granulation tissue and fibrosis results in valve insufficiency as well as stenosis. Henoch- Schonlein purpura with rheumatic carditis. Indian J Pediatr 2004; 71:371-2.

How does rheumatic heart disease affect the heart?

What causes rheumatic heart disease? Rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart, joints, skin, or brain. The heart valves can be inflamed and become scarred over time.

What does polymyalgia rheumatica mean in medical terms?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an infrequently occurring, inflammatory condition that causes pain or aching in the large muscle groups, especially around the shoulders and hips. Polymyalgia literally means “many muscle pains.” Rheumatica means “changing” or “in flux.” What Are the Symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

How are people with rheumatic heart disease treated?

People who have had rheumatic fever are often given daily or monthly antibiotic treatments, possibly for life, to prevent recurrent infections and lower the risk of further heart damage. To reduce inflammation, aspirin, steroids, or non-steroidal medicines may be given. What are the complications of rheumatic heart disease?