Symptoms and Treatment of Rheumatic Fever in Children

In children with rheumatic fever, common systemic symptoms include fever, cough, lethargy, generalized weakness, poor appetite, pallor, excessive sweating, and epistaxis; abdominal pain may also occur. Cardiac manifestations include tachycardia, precordial pain, and severe heart failure. What, then, are the symptoms and treatment of rheumatic fever in children?

Symptoms and Treatment of Rheumatic Fever in Children

Rheumatic fever in children is typically triggered by infection. Recurrent episodes may lead to chronic valvular heart disease as a long-term sequela. During the acute phase, children presenting with fever and joint swelling should remain on strict bed rest. Antibiotics and anti-rheumatic medications must be administered under physician supervision. In cases of severe carditis, cardiac enlargement, or heart failure, corticosteroids and rapid-acting diuretics may be required.

Management of pediatric rheumatic fever encompasses both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches, detailed as follows: 1. Non-pharmacologic treatment: Strict bed rest is essential during the acute phase. The duration of bed rest and subsequent activity restrictions should be determined based on the extent of cardiac involvement. Diet should be light yet nutritionally adequate. 2. Pharmacologic treatment: Effective antibiotics are the first-line therapy. Since rheumatic fever is caused by Group A streptococcal infection, penicillin is the preferred agent. For children with penicillin allergy, alternative effective antibiotics—such as cephalosporins or erythromycin—may be used.

Secondarily, disease-modifying drugs or glucocorticoids may be employed to improve clinical outcomes. Additionally, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers unique therapeutic advantages. Children diagnosed with rheumatic fever should seek prompt medical evaluation and receive treatment under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.