What are rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic (roo-MAT’ik) heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves are damaged by rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever begins with a strep throat (also called strep pharyngitis). Strep throat is caused by Group A Streptococcusbacteria. It is the most common bacterial infection of the throat. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease. It can affect many of the body’s connective tissues — especially those of the heart, joints, brain or skin. Anyone can get acute rheumatic fever, but it usually occurs in children five to 15 years old. The rheumatic heart disease that results can last for life. The incidence of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease is low in the United States and most other developed countries. However, it continues to be the leading cause of cardiovascular death during the first five decades of life in the developing world. What are the symptoms of strep throat? Symptoms include (but are not limited to): • sudden onset of sore throat • pain on swallowing • fever
