Rheumatic fever is a dangerous condition that primarily affects children aged 5 to 15 years. This ailment frequently occurs after a bout of sore throat and can have an impact on a child's heart health. Continue reading to learn more about rheumatic fever.

According to the Daycare experts, Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease induced by incorrect treatment of any Streptococcus bacterium (group A strep or GAS) infection, such as a throat or skin infection. It affects the joints, skin, heart, and sometimes the brain within 10 to 21 days of the first infection.

Causes of Rheumatic fever in kids :

Infections caused by Streptococcus bacteria (Group A Streptococcus), such as scarlet fever, impetigo, cellulitis, and strep throat, are one of the leading causes of rheumatic fever in children. While the germs do not cause rheumatic fever, they do trigger an immunological reaction in the body that causes it. The central nervous system, heart, joints, and skin are all objectives for the body. This is thought to be owing to molecular similarities between bacterial components (the most frequent being the M protein of bacteria) and human tissue cells (in the heart, joints, brain, etc.).

Children between the ages of 5 and 15 are most typically affected by this fever. Strep throat, an infection that causes pain and inflammation in the throat, is the most common cause of rheumatic fever. Other illnesses include pyoderma, which is a bacterial infection of the skin.

Here Arcadia, CA paediatricians have shared the symptoms of Rheumatic fever in kids :

Rheumatic fever symptoms in children might be difficult to pin down because they alter during the illness. All of the symptoms, or just a few, will be noted depending on the unique sickness.

• A fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit - If your child has a persistent fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, it could be a sign of an illness. If your fever lasts longer than an afternoon or a day, you should seek medical attention right once.
• A sore throat that is accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes – A painful throat is a frequent symptom of rheumatic fever. Swollen lymph nodes might also be a sign of this. As per the teachers of the Daycare centre a painful throat alone, on the other hand, is not a symptom of this illness; it must be accompanied by a high temperature and at least one other symptom.
• Headache - Rheumatic fever can be identified by a mild to severe headache that is accompanied by a fever. However, this isn't conclusive.
• Nausea - While this symptom may be mistaken for a stomach ailment, if it is accompanied by a sore throat, you should have your child examined.
• Joint pain - Joint pain, notably in the knees, elbows, wrists, and ankles, with the unique attribute of migrating from one spot in the body to another.

Other symptoms –

• Bumps below the skin
• Pain in chest
• Fatigue
• Unusual behaviour
• Rash
• Nosebleeds
• Vomiting