Question

A mother brings her 12-year-old child with complaints of knee pain. She is worried about rheumatic fever.

Hint:

Rheumatic fever typically occurs 2-4 weeks after an untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal throat infection.

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of Rheumatic Fever.
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop after a group A streptococcal (GAS) throat infection, particularly scarlet fever or streptococcal pharyngitis. It affects multiple systems, including the heart, joints, skin, and central nervous system. Rheumatic fever is more common in children aged 5 to 15 years.
Step 2: Pathophysiology.
The body's immune response to the GAS infection results in cross-reactivity, causing inflammation in various organs, particularly the heart, leading to complications like rheumatic heart disease.