Rheumatic Fever

Basics

Description

  • Constellation of symptoms and signs (revised Jones criteria)
  • Follows group A streptococcal infection (GAS) also known as Streptococcus pyogenes; usually pharyngitis
  • Uncommon in the U.S.; most cases are in developing nations, more common in indigenous populations in Australia and New Zealand
  • Remains a major cause of cardiac morbidity and mortality worldwide with over 230,000 deaths per year
  • Most common in 5–15-yr olds

Etiology

  • GAS pharyngitis (not associated with GAS skin infections)
  • Inflammatory, autoimmune response following GAS infection attacking connective tissue

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