Home
Articles
Q&A

What causes rheumatic fever?

Sep 13, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Aihua
Introduction
Rheumatic fever is essentially a non-purulent disease. In the past, it primarily affected school-aged children and adolescents, and in severe cases, it could even involve the hearts of children and adolescents. The main incidence season is summer, and it is associated to some extent with seasonal and environmental factors, presenting certain clinical symptoms. This occurs because, following streptococcal infection, people promptly use antibiotics and other medications to eliminate the streptococcal infection.

We all have some understanding of rheumatic diseases. Once afflicted, rheumatic conditions often involve multiple systems and organs of the body, such as the heart, nervous system, digestive tract, and kidneys. Among these, rheumatic fever is one of the most common types. This disease primarily affects school-aged children and adolescents, and after onset, it can place a significant burden on their bodies. So, what exactly is rheumatic fever?

What Causes Rheumatic Fever?

Rheumatic fever is essentially a non-purulent inflammatory disease. In the past, it mainly affected school-aged children and adolescents, and in severe cases could even impact the hearts of children and teenagers. The primary season for outbreaks is summer, and its occurrence is related to seasonal and environmental factors, presenting with distinct clinical symptoms. Due to timely use of antibiotics and other medications to eliminate streptococcal infections, the incidence of rheumatic fever has declined significantly. Currently, most cases of rheumatic fever are mild or atypical, with patients possibly experiencing only transient arthritis or subclinical carditis.

Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disorder triggered by infection with Group A or Group B hemolytic streptococci. It commonly occurs during winter, spring, and rainy seasons. Cold and damp environments are important contributing factors, and the disease frequently appears under crowded living conditions, poor nutrition, and inadequate medical resources—conditions that favor the growth and spread of streptococci. In untreated areas during certain epidemic periods, the incidence rate is higher. In China, with improvements in diagnostic and treatment capabilities as well as living standards, the incidence of rheumatic fever has been steadily decreasing.


When rheumatic fever occurs, prompt treatment is essential to prevent complications. Patients suspected of having rheumatic fever should seek care at a hospital's rheumatology and immunology department. We hope this information is helpful to you. Wishing you good health and a happy life.

Related Articles

View All
What is rheumatic fever?
The main cause of rheumatic fever is related to bacterial infection, particularly inflammation caused by group A streptococcal infection and recurrent streptococcal infections. To some extent, it is also associated with season and environment. Most patients with rheumatic fever are more commonly affected in spring and winter. Cold and damp conditions are also the most important triggering factors. Cold and damp conditions are also the most important triggering factors.
avatar
Dr. Liu Aihua
View Full Answer
Symptoms and Treatment of Rheumatic Fever in Children
General symptoms of rheumatic fever in children include elevated body temperature, cough, poor mental state, general weakness, reduced appetite, pallor, excessive sweating, nosebleeds, and sometimes stomach pain. Cardiac symptoms include rapid heart rate, chest pain in the precordial area, and severe heart failure. Rheumatic fever in children is often caused by infection. Recurrent episodes may lead to chronic valvular heart disease as a long-term complication.
avatar
Dr. Xie Zixing
View Full Answer
What are the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatic fever in children?
Rheumatic fever in children involves two interrelated pathogenic mechanisms: molecular mimicry and autoimmune response. The human immune response against *Streptococcus* can cross-react immunologically with host tissues, leading to organ damage—this is the primary mechanism underlying rheumatic fever. The etiology of rheumatic fever in children comprises three factors: (1) the antigenicity of Group A hemolytic streptococci; (2) characteristics of susceptible tissues and organs; and (3) host susceptibility.
avatar
Dr. Xie Zixing
View Full Answer
Can rheumatic fever in children be cured?
The prognosis of rheumatic fever depends primarily on the presence and severity of carditis. Recurrent episodes of rheumatic fever may predispose patients to valvular damage, resulting in stenosis or insufficiency, reduced quality of life, or severe heart failure requiring surgical intervention. In contrast, arthritis caused solely by rheumatic fever generally carries an excellent prognosis, with such joint involvement typically resolving completely.
avatar
Dr. Xie Zixing
View Full Answer
Symptoms and Treatment of Rheumatic Fever
The primary clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever include myocarditis, erythema marginatum, migratory polyarthritis, Sydenham’s chorea, and subcutaneous nodules. There is no specific treatment for this disease; general therapeutic principles include eradication of streptococcal infection foci, elimination of the underlying cause of rheumatic fever, anti-rheumatic therapy, rapid control of clinical symptoms, and prevention of irreversible heart disease resulting from disease progression.
avatar
Dr. Liu Aihua
View Full Answer
Is Anti-Streptolysin O (ASO) 330 IU/mL indicative of rheumatic fever?
An ASO titer of 330 IU/mL is not necessarily indicative of rheumatic fever. An ASO level of 330 IU/mL falls within the range of significantly elevated antistreptolysin O (ASO) titers, which typically suggests a recent streptococcal infection. According to the diagnostic criteria for rheumatic fever, the ASO titer should be at least 400 IU/mL and must be accompanied by clear evidence of prior streptococcal infection. Therefore, an ASO titer of 330 IU/mL alone is insufficient to diagnose rheumatic fever or other rheumatic diseases.
avatar
Dr. Liu Aihua
View Full Answer
Which is more severe: rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism?
Rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic diseases are two distinct conditions; therefore, it is difficult to determine which is more severe. Patients must visit a hospital and consult a specialist for standardized, rational treatment. From the perspective of Western medicine, “rheumatic diseases” constitute a broad category encompassing disorders affecting muscles, ligaments, joints, and soft tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, in particular, can lead to severe joint deformities, significantly impairing daily functioning and mobility.
avatar
Dr. Liu Aihua
View Full Answer
Is Streptococcal Infection Syndrome the same as Rheumatic Fever?
Streptococcal infection is not rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an acute or chronic systemic connective tissue inflammatory disorder that commonly recurs following streptococcal infection, primarily affecting the heart, joints, central nervous system, skin, and subcutaneous tissues. Following streptococcal infection, patients are highly likely to develop fever, and may also experience nasal congestion and rhinorrhea; however, if left untreated for an extended period, they may progress to rheumatic fever.
avatar
Dr. Jiang Weimin
View Full Answer
彩牛养生

Your trusted source for health information and wellness guidance.

Quick Links

Resources

Connect

© 2024 HealthPortal. All rights reserved.