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Rheumatic fever
Inflammatory disease in children. If your child is experiencing rheumatic fever our rheumatology and cardiology experts can help to treat them.
About rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory bacterial disease, mainly contracted by children between five and fourteen years old. It can develop from complications relating to untreated scarlet fever or strep throat. The heart, skin and joints can be affected. Your child's consultant can help control the condition with the different treatments we offer.
Need to know
Your child's consultant can diagnose rheumatic fever from the "Jones Criteria", a checklist of major and minor symptoms. If at least one major or two minor symptoms are identified a diagnosis of the condition might be made.
Major symptoms
- arthritis
- carditis (heart inflammation).
- skin rash
- Sydenham's chorea (nerve inflammation)
Minor symptoms
- joint pain
- high temperature
- irregular heart rhythm
- blood tests showing body inflammation
Your child's consultant will discuss their symptoms with you. The following tests can be carried out to determine if they have rheumatic fever:
- an electrocardiogram (ECG) uses sensors (electrodes) to assess heartbeat regularity
- blood tests to identify inflammation or any antibodies associated with the condition
- an echocardiogram to see if the heart muscle or valves are affected
Your child's consultant will discuss treatment options with you. These may include:
- anti-inflammatory medication to ease joint pain and/or heart inflammation
- antibiotics to help eliminate any remaining streptococcus bacteria (throat infection)
- bed rest
Our Rheumatic fever locations
London Lupus and Rheumatology Centre
1st Floor, St. Olaf House SE1 2PR London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.