Question 1

can rheumatic fever be cured?

Accepted Answer

No: You treat the strep infection which caused it; you give ant-iinflammatory agents (aspirin, steroids, etc.), and you then give symptomatic treatment to control the complications (such as congestive heart failure, etc.).  All these may modulate the disease, but not necessarily cure it.

Question 2

my mum 57 old,had rheumatic fever when kid not cured,now have rheumatic heart and always with acute knee pain,does she need penicillin or what?

Accepted Answer

Rheumatic fever: Rheumatic fever is caused by an inflammatory reaction to streptococcal pharyngitis.  Recurrent bouts can further damage the heart.  Risk is related to exposure to strep.  If she teaches elementary school, then I would say yes, she needs to take penicillin every day to protect against a strep infection.

Question 3

what treats rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Penicillins/rest: rheumatic fever occurs after strep throat.it is treated with penicillin to eradicate the strep but it is considered an immune reaction after strep.So symptomatic treatment with rest and close follow up by your doctor including blood work is important

Question 4

what is rheumatic fever from?

Accepted Answer

Strep infection: Rheumatic fever is a condition that can occur following a streptococcus pyrogens infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. It's typically a disease of children, though it's now far less common than it used to be.

Question 5

what is rheumatic fever like?

Accepted Answer

Each person is  diff: It depends on the symptoms one can have, we see it  mostly in children and rare in the us, it occurs 2 to 4 weeks after a strep infection - can involve the joints, the skin, the heart,  the brain. Fever is where it gets it  name. It was said in skips the joints  but can bite the heart and cause  heart  damage. The cure is to prevent it  with treatment of the group a  strept throat infections.

Question 6

can you die from rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Yes: About 1.5% of persons with rheumatic carditis die of the disease annually. Cardiac involvement is the most serious complication of rheumatic fever and causes significant morbidity and mortality. About 60% of  patients diagnosed with rheumatic fever annually will develop carditis.

Question 7

how many people get rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

20 million: Worldwide, it is estimated that as many as twenty million people (mostly children aged 5-15) develop rheumatic fever each year; most of these cases occur in developing countries.  In the United States, it is estimated that there may be as few as 2 cases per 100, 000 people each year which equals about 6000 cases.

Question 8

do a lot of people get rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Depends: In the USA this has become very uncommon, but since it is no longer a reportable disease the statistics are not available, but prior to the 1970's when there were large outbreaks, the frequency was one per 100,000 population.  Many doctors in the USA have never seen a case of rheumatic fever.

Question 9

are the symptoms of rheumatic fever bad?

Accepted Answer

They may be very bad: The major features are inflammation affecting all parts of the heart, migratory arthritis of multiple joints, a rash called erythema marginatum, a nervous disorder called chorea, and subcutaneous nodules (rare), usually on the elbows, knees and over the spine.  These are just non-tender pea-sized bumps.

Question 10

what type of dr diagnoses rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Depends on symptoms: Hi. A GP, physician, paediatrician, ENT, dermatologist, neurologist can all diagnose rheumatic fever, depending on what symptoms and how old the patient is. All doctors learn about it at med school.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Can rheumatic fever be cured

A member asked:

Can rheumatic fever be cured?

A member asked:

My mum 57 old,had rheumatic fever when kid not cured,now have rheumatic heart and always with acute knee pain,does she need penicillin or what?

A member asked:

What treats rheumatic fever?

A member asked:

What is rheumatic fever from?

A member asked:

What is rheumatic fever like?

A member asked:

Can you die from rheumatic fever?

A member asked:

How many people get rheumatic fever?

A member asked:

Do a lot of people get rheumatic fever?

A member asked:

Are the symptoms of rheumatic fever bad?

A member asked:

What type of dr diagnoses rheumatic fever?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?