Be careful, inflammation of the throat can cause rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is a complication of strep throat caused by Streptococcus bacteria. This fever is a serious disease because it can have fatal effects on health, such as permanent damage to the heart and stroke, even death. Rheumatic fever occurs because the body is infected with group A. Streptococcus. This bacterium initially causes inflammation of the throat. If not treated properly, there is a possibility the body has rheumatic fever due to the influence of an abnormal immune or immune response. In rheumatic fever, the immune system attacks normal body tissues and eventually causes inflammation in other parts of the body.

Dangers of Rheumatic Fever

Perhaps many people who do not think that strep throat can have this serious illness, especially if it can be life threatening. Rheumatic fever is a rare disease. The disease can occur at any age, but it is more experienced by children aged 5-15 years. You should be wary if you experience strep throat accompanied by fever, painful and swollen joints in the wrists, elbows, knees and ankles, muscle aches, and rashes on the body. Because, these symptoms can mark the occurrence of rheumatic fever. These symptoms usually appear 2 weeks - 1 month after strep throat. One of the biggest risks that lurks for people with rheumatic fever is heart damage. Rheumatic fever risks causing abnormalities in the heart valve, so the heart is forced to work harder in pumping blood. The condition of the heart can get worse if the symptoms are not treated for months. Over time, this condition can also cause heart failure. Another disorder that can be caused by rheumatic fever is Sydenham chorea. This condition is usually characterized by spontaneous movements in several parts of the body. In more severe cases, these spontaneous movements become increasingly difficult to control. This condition can occur in the face or leg and arm muscles. Patients with Sydenham chorea generally experience difficulty in activities, such as writing.

Treatment for Rheumatic Fever

If you suspect that you have rheumatic fever, check with your doctor immediately. For initial treatment, the doctor will usually give medicines in the form of:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or maproxen, work to relieve pain, fever, and inflammatory reactions. If the inflammation does not go away, the doctor can give corticosteroid medication.

• Anticonvulsant medicine

This drug works to relieve uncontrolled movements caused by disorders of the nervous system Sydenham chorea. These medicines can be valproic acid or carbamazepine.

• Antibiotic medicine

Antibiotics work to eradicate the remnants of Streptococcus bacteria. Doctors can give other types of antibiotic drugs to prevent rheumatic fever relapse. Giving antibiotics as a preventative measure requires a long and scheduled process so that the effect is maximal.

Unlike the early stages of rheumatic fever treatment, rheumatic fever has caused inflammation of the heart, requiring more intense treatment. The doctor may give antibiotics to prevent the disease longer, maybe even for a lifetime. Prevention is better than cure, including rheumatic fever. One effective way to prevent rheumatic fever is to immediately treat sore throat and take medication given by a doctor. That way, the risk of rheumatic fever complications will be smaller.