Rheumatic fever clinical symptoms

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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The clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever primarily include: Some patients may experience low fever and rashes, and about half of the patients may exhibit symptoms such as morning stiffness. The joint pain associated with rheumatic fever often occurs more frequently in the large joints of the lower limbs and is asymmetrical, but it can also affect small joints and central axis joints. It commonly presents as non-migratory arthritis. Secondly, patients with rheumatic fever may experience cardiac involvement, with the most common being heart valve disease, particularly mitral valve stenosis. Additionally, patients with rheumatic fever may also suffer from kidney involvement, often presenting with symptoms such as hematuria and proteinuria, which are typical clinical symptoms of rheumatism.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Is a hot towel compress useful for rheumatism?

Rheumatic fever is not effectively treated by applying a towel. It is a systemic inflammatory disease caused by an infection of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Clinically, common manifestations include fever, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules, joint pain or arthritis, chorea, and carditis. The heart involvement primarily affects the valves, with the mitral and tricuspid valves being the most commonly affected, leaving many patients with valvular vegetations. The incidence of rheumatic fever has become relatively rare, mainly due to the widespread use of penicillin in recent years. During the acute phase of rheumatic fever, if joint pain occurs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as etoricoxib or meloxicam can be used for treatment.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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What should be paid attention to in the diet for rheumatic fever?

For patients with rheumatism, the general dietary rule is to follow a light diet, reduce spicy and greasy foods, and avoid foods that are too warm and dry. Specifically, vegetables like celery, coriander, leeks, seaweed, and shiitake mushrooms should be reduced in consumption because they may cause photosensitivity and worsen rheumatism. At the same time, meats such as lamb, dog meat, and beef are considered too warming and nourishing, and may also trigger the worsening of rheumatism, so their consumption should also be minimized. Similarly, seafood like shrimp, crab, and sea cucumber, which are high in protein, might cause allergic reactions in patients with rheumatism, so their intake should be minimized as well.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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How long will it take for rheumatic fever rash to heal?

Rheumatic fever rash generally improves after seven to ten days of treatment, but this is contingent upon completing a full course of antibiotics. This is because the rash is induced by a streptococcal infection. Therefore, to control the infection by streptococcus, the rash will begin to improve. Moreover, if the rash does not subside over time, it may also be considered to strengthen anti-inflammatory treatment with glucocorticoids and anti-allergy treatments to reduce the rash. Additionally, medications like loratadine dispersible tablets and compound glycyrrhizin can be added to help reduce the occurrence of rheumatic fever rash and accelerate its resolution.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Symptoms of rheumatic fever in children

Children often show symptoms of rheumatic fever, which commonly leads to myocarditis, arrhythmias, palpitations, and asthma. Additionally, there can be changes in the skin, such as subcutaneous erythema nodosum, as well as joint swelling and pain. There are also general symptoms like fever, fatigue, cough, nosebleeds, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, along with swelling of the lymph nodes throughout the body. During examinations, there is often a significant increase in C-reactive protein and elevated levels of anti-streptococcal antibodies and anti-O. Abnormalities can also be seen on the electrocardiogram. Once symptoms of pediatric rheumatic fever appear, it is crucial to promptly visit a hospital for diagnosis and timely treatment.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What are the symptoms of rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is a delayed, non-suppurative sequelae caused by a streptococcus infection. It primarily presents as arthritis, heart valve disease, chorea, subcutaneous nodules, and erythema, and some cases also exhibit fever. It mainly occurs in adolescents and children aged 5 to 14. It is primarily related to symptoms that appear after an upper respiratory tract streptococcus infection. If the individual has good resistance, symptoms may only resemble those of a cold, such as sore throat, runny nose, and fever, and these symptoms can be relieved after anti-infection treatment without any residual sequelae. However, people with weaker resistance may develop these sequelae after an upper respiratory tract infection, including joint pain and heart valve disease. Therefore, it is crucial to receive proper treatment during the acute phase to prevent any lasting sequelae.