MamasHealth.com Home Infectious Information Adenovirus Anthrax Avian Flu Battle the Cold Black Fever Bronchitis Chicken Pox Cholera Colds and Cruises Cold Season Croup Cytomegalovirus Dengue Fever Diphtheria Ear Infection Ebola Epiglottitis Fight the Flu Flu Flu Vaccine Glandular Fever Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Laryngitis Leprosy Lice Lyme Disease Mad Cow Disease Malaria Measles Meningitis Mono Mumps Pink Eye Pinworms Pneumonia Polio Rabies Rheumataic Fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever RSV Sarcoidosis SARS Shigella Enteritis Scarlet Fever Smallpox Sore Throat Stomach Flu Strep Throat Super Infections Tetanus Thrush Tonsilitis Tuberculosis Typhoid Fever Valley Fever West Nile Virus Whooping Cough Yellow Fever Links Email Mama Tips to get more vacation time Food borne illnesses Parasitic infections Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter	What is Rheumatic Fever? Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease which may develop after an infection with streptococcus bacteria, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. It can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain. Rheumatic fever is common worldwide and is responsible for many cases of damaged heart valves. Rheumatic fever primarily affects children between ages 6 and 15 and occurs approximately 20 days after strep throat or scarlet fever. What Causes Rheumatic Fever? The exact cause of rheumatic fever is unknown. What are the Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever? Symptoms of rheumatic fever generally appear within five weeks after an untreated strep throat infection. The most common symptoms of rheumatic fever are: Fever Joint pain, migratory arthritis -- involving primarily knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists Joint swelling Abdominal pain Skin rash Skin eruption on the trunk and upper part of arms or legs Eruptions that are ring-shaped or snake-like in appearance Skin nodules Sydenham's chorea Nosebleeds Shortness of breath Chest pain Sore throat Red and swollen tonsils Headache Muscle aches Can Rheumatic Fever be Treated?  Yes. Treatment for acute rheumatic fever is geared towards the reduction of inflammation with anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or corticosteroids. Other treatments include antibiotics and medication to reduce joint pain. Complications of Rheumatic Fever? Some common complications of rheumatic fever are: Damage to heart valves Endocarditis Heart failure Arrhythmias Pericarditis Sydenham's chorea	Featured Book
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