A recent history of strep infection or rheumatic fever is key to the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Symptoms of rheumatic fever vary and typically begin 1 to 6 weeks after a bout of strep throat. In some cases, the infection may have been too mild to have been recognized, or it may be gone by the time the person sees a doctor.
People with rheumatic heart disease will have or recently had a strep infection. A throat culture or blood test may be used to check for strep. They may have a murmur or rub that may be heard during a routine physical exam. The murmur is caused by the blood leaking around the damages valve. The rub is caused when the inflamed heart tissues move or rub against each other.
Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, tests used to diagnose rheumatic heart disease may include:. Echocardiogram echo. This test uses sound waves to check the heart's chambers and valves.
The echo sound waves create a picture on a screen as an ultrasound transducer is passed over the skin overlying the heart.
Echo can show damage to the valve flaps, backflow of blood through a leaky valve, fluid around the heart, and heart enlargement. Electrocardiogram ECG. This test records the strength and timing of the electrical activity of the heart.
It shows abnormal rhythms arrhythmias or dysrhythmias and can sometimes detect heart muscle damage. Small sensors are taped to your skin to pick up the electrical activity. Chest X-ray. An X-ray may be done to check your lungs and see if your heart is enlarged.
Cardiac MRI. This is an imaging test that takes detailed pictures of the heart. It may be used to get a more precise look at the heart valves and heart muscle. Blood tests. Certain blood tests may be used to look for infection and inflammation.
Corticosteroids : Prednisone may be given if the patient does not respond to first-line anti-inflammatory medications, or if there is inflammation of the heart.
Anticonvulsant medications : These can treat severe chorea symptoms. Examples include valproic acid Depakene or Stavzor , carbamazepine Carbatrol or Equetro , haloperidol Haldol and risperidone Risperdal.
Anyone who has RF as a child will need to inform their doctor as they get older because heart damage can appear many years later. They will pay particular attention to any recent illness along with the following:. Symptoms of RF, and specifically inflammation, may persist for weeks, months, or longer, causing long-term problems. Globally, RHD is estimated to affect more than 15 million people per year and cause more than , deaths.
The inflammation causes permanent damage to the heart, most commonly the mitral valve, the valve between the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart. Other conditions that may develop if there is damage to heart tissue, the mitral valve, or other heart valves include:.
RF is now rare in developed countries, but it remains a risk elsewhere. Researchers continue to seek effective ways to prevent RF and its complications. The main cause of RF is Group A streptococcus GAS , a bacteria that can cause infections such as Strep throat with or without scarlet fever and skin infections like impetigo , and cellulitis.
Genetic factors may increase the risk. The chance of having RF appears to be higher if another family member has had it. Strep bacteria have a protein that resembles one found in some body tissues.
In RF, the tissues that they attack are those of the heart, joints, central nervous system CNS and skin. These tissues react by becoming inflamed. If a patient with Strep bacteria takes a complete course of antibiotic treatment, the chances of RF developing are very low. In 8 out of 10 cases, the signs and symptoms of RF resolve within 12 weeks. Between 30 and 45 percent of people with RF will develop heart problems.
Recurrences of rheumatic fever often occur within 5 years. In the past, RF was a major cause of mortality, but now this is rare in industrialized countries. However, RF is fatal in 1. Environmental factors, such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and poor access to healthcare increase the risk of developing RF.
Practicing proper hygiene methods can help prevent strep throat:. Once they develop, the symptoms of rheumatic fever can last for months or even years. Rheumatic fever can cause long-term complications in certain situations. One of the most prevalent complications is rheumatic heart disease. Other heart conditions include:. The long-term effects of rheumatic fever can be disabling if your child has a severe case. Some of the damage caused by the illness might not show up until years later.
Be aware of long-term effects as your child grows older. If your child does experience long-term damage related to rheumatic fever, there are support services available to help them and your family. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat. We explain the common signs, diagnostic tests, treatment…. Scarlet fever is a condition that can develop in people, usually children, who have strep throat.
Stenosis occurs when the opening to the mitral valve is narrowed. Get the facts on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options from medication to…. Mitral valve disease can prevent blood from flowing properly out of your heart to the rest of the body.
Read about its causes and treatment. Poststreptococcal disorder is a group of autoimmune disorders that occur after an infection with the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Learn the causes,. Aortic valve stenosis most often develops in older adults, but it can also affect newborns. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health.
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