Rheumatic fever clinical symptoms

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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The clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever primarily include: Some patients may experience low fever and rashes, and about half of the patients may exhibit symptoms such as morning stiffness. The joint pain associated with rheumatic fever often occurs more frequently in the large joints of the lower limbs and is asymmetrical, but it can also affect small joints and central axis joints. It commonly presents as non-migratory arthritis. Secondly, patients with rheumatic fever may experience cardiac involvement, with the most common being heart valve disease, particularly mitral valve stenosis. Additionally, patients with rheumatic fever may also suffer from kidney involvement, often presenting with symptoms such as hematuria and proteinuria, which are typical clinical symptoms of rheumatism.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Does rheumatic fever spread?

Firstly, rheumatic fever is a group of delayed sequelae caused by an infection of Group A Streptococci, simply put, it refers to a type of reactive arthritis that appears after an upper respiratory tract infection. It is associated with this streptococcus, and mostly occurs during the cold and humid seasons of winter and spring. It can affect people of any age, but is most commonly seen in children aged 5-14 and adolescents. Therefore, it is not a contagious disease, but rather a set of symptoms, such as fever and joint pain, appearing in individuals with weakened immune systems following an upper respiratory tract infection. Some people may even experience valvular heart disease. However, if treated actively in the early stages, the disease usually does not lead to any long-term consequences, unless it goes untreated or is treated under poor medical conditions, which may then result in rheumatic arthritis and rheumatic heart disease.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Is the rheumatoid factor high in rheumatic fever?

Patients with rheumatic fever often do not have elevated rheumatoid factor levels, as rheumatic fever primarily follows a streptococcal infection. There is typically an increase in anti-streptolysin O antibodies, while rheumatoid factors are often negative. In addition to elevated anti-streptolysin O, patients with rheumatic fever may also experience valvular heart disease, most commonly mitral stenosis. Some patients may present with skin erythema and symptoms similar to chorea, which leads us to consider the possibility of rheumatic fever. The treatment of rheumatic fever primarily involves regular antibiotic therapy and continued administration of intramuscular benzathine penicillin for a period of time. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Does rheumatic fever cause an increase in body temperature?

Rheumatic fever may lead to increased body temperature; fever is one of the common clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever, primarily associated with streptococcal infections. Other common symptoms of rheumatic fever include joint pain or arthritis, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules, chorea, and carditis. During the acute phase, penicillin antibiotics can be used to treat the infection. At the same time, it is important to rest adequately and consume high-quality protein foods to ensure sufficient nutrition and calories. Foods rich in high-quality protein such as lean meat, milk, and eggs should be consumed appropriately. In addition, symptomatic treatment is also crucial. For arthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used, and corticosteroids are necessary for treating carditis.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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How to treat rheumatic fever?

Patients with rheumatic fever who develop a fever can first use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets for symptomatic fever reduction. At the same time, it is also necessary to actively treat the primary disease of rheumatic fever. If the rheumatic fever is induced by a streptococcal infection, additional anti-infection treatment is also needed. Furthermore, as rheumatic fever is also an autoimmune disease, while using NSAIDs to reduce fever, it is also necessary to add some immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate or leflunomide, to control the condition. Only on the basis of controlling the condition can rheumatic fever potentially be completely cured. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Rheumatic fever is not caused by a bacterium, but is a complication of a streptococcal infection.

Rheumatic fever is associated with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection and is a systemic inflammatory disease. The detailed pathogenesis is not yet very clear. Common clinical manifestations include joint pain, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum, fever, chorea, and carditis. The characteristic of joint pain is that it generally does not leave joint deformities, and presents as migratory pain in the large joints of the limbs. Carditis can affect the heart valves and endocardium, primarily commonly involving the mitral or tricuspid valves. During the acute phase, penicillin antibiotics are needed for anti-infective treatment.