What is the definition or description of: rheumatic fever?

Post-strep fever: When the body produces antibodies to the streptococcus organism, the antibodies can affect the heart and kidneys; this inflammatory reaction is called an autoimmune reaction. The period of active inflammation of the heart is termed "rheumatic fever".

Inflammatory disease: Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may develop after an infection with group a streptococcus bacteria (such as strep throat or scarlet fever). It is common to have the heart and joints involved. Usually starts to present itself 3 weeks after strep throat, there are complaints of arthritic type pain of the major joints, hence the name "rheumatic". It is controlled by antibiotics.