The immune system responds to the earlier strep throat or scarlet fever infection and causes a generalized inflammatory response. People cannot catch rheumatic fever from someone else because it is an immune response and not an infection. However, people with strep throat or scarlet fever can spread group A strep to others, primarily through respiratory droplets. Although anyone can get rheumatic fever, it is more common in school-age children 5 through 15 years old.
Rheumatic fever is very rare in children younger than three years old and adults. Infectious illnesses, including group A strep, tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather together. Crowded conditions can increase the risk of getting strep throat or scarlet fever, and thus rheumatic fever. These settings include:. Someone who had rheumatic fever in the past is more likely to get rheumatic fever again if they get strep throat or scarlet fever again. There is no single test used to diagnose rheumatic fever.
It's not known why your immune system can suddenly stop working properly. But your genes may make it more likely that you'll get rheumatic fever. Page last reviewed: 04 June Next review due: 04 June Rheumatic fever. How rheumatic fever is treated If you or your child are diagnosed with rheumatic fever, you'll have treatment to relieve the symptoms and control inflammation.
You may need: antibiotics painkillers — given as tablets, capsules or a liquid you drink steroid injections — if your pain is severe medicines — if you're having jerky, uncontrollable movements Getting plenty of bed rest will also help with your recovery.
Steer A, et al. Acute rheumatic fever: Treatment and prevention. Rhodes KL, et al. Acute rheumatic fever: Revised diagnostic criteria. Pediatric Emergency Care. Arthritis Foundation. Acute rheumatic fever ARF. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Braswell-Pickering EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. June 29, Wyber R, et al. Primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever.
Mankad R expert opinion. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. It is important that the person seeks prompt medical attention for any future throat infections. There is currently no vaccine for rheumatic fever, but Australian medical scientists are working to develop a Streptococcus vaccine.
A vaccine that prevents streptococcal infections wouldalso be expected to prevent rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. People are less sensitive to smells the older they get, and women tend to have a more acute sense of smell than men.
Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis.
Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
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