Rheumatic fever is a rheumatic, inflammatory and joint disease. Its origin is related to the body's response to streptococcus infections, that is, it is autoimmune in origin.
Rheumatic fever occurs after an episode of inadequately treated bacterial tonsillitis. The individual may suffer cardiac complications (carditis - inflammation of the heart), neurological (chorea - incoordination of movements due to inflammation in the brain) and dermatological (erythema and nodules subcutaneous).
The main symptoms of rheumatic fever are fever, edema (swelling) and joint pain, often making it impossible for the child to walk because of the pain. When the disease affects the heart, the patient experiences continuous fatigue and shortness of breath.
As for the diagnosis, it is important to make a careful analysis of all clinical signs and exams, as there is no specific test or sign that facilitates it.
One of the ways of prevention is to undergo treatment as soon as streptococcal pharyngitis is diagnosed, but the socioeconomic reality of the country, determined by inequality makes it difficult for the population to have access to procedures and tests that make it possible to distinguish the onset or not of a streptococcal infection in cases of flu or cold.
The treatment of rheumatic fever is done using penicillin-based antibiotics.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WARNS:
Self-medication can have unwanted and unanticipated effects, as the wrong medicine not only does not cure, it can worsen your health.
Patricia Lopes
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/febre-reumatica.htm
