Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease. It most often happens after an infection. Our immune system protects us from diseases and infection. With this illness, your immune system attacks the healthy cells in the body. Rheumatic fever is most often a side effect of strep throat or scarlet fever. It is not passed from person to person, but the strep infection may be. Rheumatic fever affects the heart, joints, skin, and brain. It is more common in children. If not treated the right way, this illness can cause very serious heart problems.
Name
Rheumatic Fever
About this topic
Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease. It most often happens after an infection. Our immune system protects us from diseases and infection. With this illness, your immune system attacks the healthy cells in the body. Rheumatic fever is most often a side effect of strep throat or scarlet fever. It is not passed from person to person, but the strep infection may be. Rheumatic fever affects the heart, joints, skin, and brain. It is more common in children. If not treated the right way, this illness can cause very serious heart problems.
What drugs may be needed?
Fight an infection,Help with pain and swelling,Stop uncontrolled movements
What problems could happen?
Long-lasting damage to the heart and its valves,Strep infection returns
Body systems
Emergency Medicine,Infectious Disease
What are other common names?
Acute Rheumatic Endocarditis,Acute Rheumatic Fever,Acute Rheumatic Heart Disease,Acute Rheumatic Myocarditis,Acute Rheumatic Pericarditis,ARF,Inflammatory Rheumatism,RF,Rheumatic Arthritis,Rheumatic Chorea,Sydenham Chorea,Sydenham's Chorea
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider’s advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.
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