Rheumatic Fever

Basics

Acute inflammatory complication of group A streptococcal (GAS); usually pharyngitis
Diagnosed based on a constellation of symptoms and signs (revised Jones criteria)
Uncommon in the US; higher incidence in underdeveloped/resource-poor areas. Especially prevalent among aboriginal or native populations
Worldwide there are 39 million cases of rheumatic heart disease
Results in 300,000 deaths annually
Incidence is likely underestimated due to underreporting and missed diagnosis
Most common in children aged 5–15 yr old

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