Heart Rheumatism (Acute Rheumatic Fever) symptoms and treatment methods
Acute rheumatic fever, or commonly known as cardiac rheumatism, is a rheumatic disease that develops after pharyngitis (throat infection) caused by bacteria called group A streptococcus. It typically occurs 2 to 3 weeks after pharyngitis. The disease causes inflammatory damage to organs containing connective tissue as a result of the body’s abnormal inflammatory response.
Acute rheumatic fever is more common in children. The disease most often causes symptoms related to the joints, but it is important because it also affects the heart. Inflammation of the vessels in the brain and subcutaneous lymph nodes are also among the findings of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15. Because pharyngitis caused by group A beta hemolytic streptococcus is most common in this age group. However, it can be seen at any age. The disease is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children worldwide.
Rheumatism symptoms and signs
This disease, which affects the whole body, has many different signs and symptoms. Symptoms of rheumatism include:
- Inflammation, pain in the joints
- Inflammation of the heart membranes
- Damage to heart valves and therefore heart murmur
- chest pain
- Tiredness
- Korea. It is a condition that occurs due to inflammation in the brain. In chorea, patients have involuntary, purposeless movements. Movements are seen more frequently, especially in the trunk and arms. It may be accompanied by muscle weakness and emotional irregularities. Chorea is not permanent and disappears during sleep. It usually resolves within 1-2 weeks. In rare cases, symptoms may last up to 15 weeks.
- Emotional disorders. Emotional irregularities may manifest themselves in the form of crying or inappropriate laughter.
- Fever ranging from 38-40 degrees
- Nose bleeding
- Stomach ache
- spleen enlargement
- Painless nodules under the skin, especially on the back of the arm and front of the legs
- Skin rashes on the inner surface of the chest, arms and legs
- Increase in CRP, sedimentation and leukocyte blood values
- Enlarged heart on chest x-ray
What causes acute rheumatic fever?
An attack of rheumatism may occur after a throat infection caused by a bacteria called group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Group A streptococci cause cryptic throat infection or, less commonly, scarlet fever. Group A streptococcal infections of the skin or other parts of the body rarely trigger rheumatic fever.
The link between streptococcal infection and rheumatic fever is not clear, but the bacteria causes confusion in the immune system. Streptococcus bacteria contain a protein similar to that found in certain tissues of the body. Immune system cells that would normally target bacteria attack the body’s own tissues, perceiving them as infectious agents. Particularly the heart, joints, skin and central nervous system tissues are the most common targets in this context. This immune system reaction causes inflammation in these organs.
If your child is promptly treated with antibiotics to eliminate streptococcal bacteria and takes all medications as prescribed, the likelihood of developing rheumatic fever is very low. If your child has one or more episodes of streptococcal throat infection or scarlet fever that has not been completely treated, he or she may be at risk for rheumatic fever.
Treatment of rheumatism of the heart
The goal of rheumatoid arthritis treatment is to destroy any remaining group A streptococcal bacteria, relieve symptoms, control inflammation, and prevent recurrence of the disease. Treatment includes antibiotics, medication to relieve inflammation, and medication for neurological symptoms.
