Rheumatic fever is a complication of a strep throat.
About three people out of every 10 who have a strep throat infection
How long does it take for strep to turn into rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever may develop after strep throat or scarlet fever infections that are not treated properly. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause strep throat and scarlet fever. It usually takes
about 1 to 5 weeks
after strep throat or scarlet fever for rheumatic fever to develop.
How common is rheumatic fever after strep throat?
It primarily affects children between the ages of 6 and 16, and develops after an infection with streptococcal bacteria, such as strep throat or scarlet fever.
About 5% of those with untreated strep infection will develop rheumatic fever
. Rheumatic fever may affect the heart, joints, nervous system and/or skin.
Who is at high risk for rheumatic fever?
The incidence of acute rheumatic fever is highest in
children between the ages of 5 and 15 years
. Acute rheumatic fever is very rare in children 3 years of age and younger in the United States. First-onset acute rheumatic fever is rare in adults, although recurrence may occur through adulthood.
How does strep turn into rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever results from
an inflammatory reaction to certain group A streptococcus bacteria
. The body produces antibodies to fight the bacteria, but instead the antibodies attack a different target: the body’s own tissues. The antibodies begin with the joints and often move on to the heart and surrounding tissues.
How long does it take to recover from rheumatic fever?
Getting plenty of bed rest will also help with your recovery. Information: Most people usually make a full recovery by
about 3 months
. But it can sometimes take longer to get better.
Can strep throat damage your heart?
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. The heart valve damage may start shortly after untreated or under-treated streptococcal infection such as strep throat or scarlet fever.
Does strep stay in your body forever?
Strep will go away on its own
.
Your body’s immune system can and will eventually clear the strep bacteria. We mostly give antibiotics to get rid of the infection quicker and avoid the complications of strep, known (cue appropriate dramatic music…) as acute rheumatic fever.
Can you have rheumatic fever and not know it?
Symptoms. Rheumatic fever usually occurs about two to four weeks after a strep throat infection, and
can be so mild you don’t even know you have it
. The symptoms vary and may include: Fever.
When should I be concerned about strep throat?
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms: A
sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands
.
A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours
.
A fever
.
What does rheumatic fever rash look like?
A flat, painless rash with a wavy edge
(erythema marginatum) may appear as the other symptoms subside. It lasts for only a short time, sometimes less than a day. This photo shows the flat, painless rash with a wavy edge that may appear with rheumatic fever.
What is rheumatic fever called today?
Healthcare providers may also call it
acute rheumatic fever
. It happens when the body’s immune system overreacts to a strep throat or scarlet fever infection that hasn’t been fully treated. Rheumatic fever causes your body’s immune system to attack its own tissues, causing inflammation (swelling).
What is a common serious complication of rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever can cause long-term complications in certain situations. One of the most prevalent complications is
rheumatic heart disease
. Other heart conditions include: Aortic valve stenosis. This is a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart.
Can your body fight strep without antibiotics?
If you have strep throat—which is caused by bacteria—your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, such as penicillin. But strep throat
goes away on its own in 3 to 7 days with or without antibiotics
.
Does untreated strep always cause rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever is not an infection itself, but rather
the result of an untreated strep infection
. When your body senses the strep infection, it sends antibodies to fight it.
How was rheumatic fever treated in the 1940s?
The introduction of antibiotics (sulphonamides and then
penicillin
in the 1940s) and the trials conducted during the 1940s and in the USA, demonstrated that penicillin treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis has a preventive effect against rheumatic fever.
