Can you soak your feet if you have rheumatic fever?

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on September 01, 2024
00:00
00:00

Patients with rheumatic fever can relieve some joint pain by soaking their feet, but this does not fundamentally solve the problem. Rheumatic fever is often caused by streptococcal infection, which leads to diseases such as arthritis. Therefore, antibiotics should be used at the source to eliminate streptococcal infection and hence prevent the recurrence of rheumatism. Additionally, we can use anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to control joint pain. Commonly used anti-inflammatory analgesics include non-steroidal pain relievers, such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets. If there is inflammation in the heart due to rheumatic fever, corticosteroid treatment should be considered. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
1min 4sec home-news-image

The difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis

The main difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis is that in addition to symptoms of arthritis, rheumatic fever also presents with elevated anti-streptolysin O levels and valvular heart disease, with some patients displaying subcutaneous erythema and chorea-like symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, primarily manifests as joint pain, and rarely involves heart valve issues. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by elevated rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and anti-AkA antibodies as its main clinical features. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis also exhibit increased inflammatory markers. The key differences between rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis lie in the different antibodies involved and the general association of rheumatic fever with cardiac involvement.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
47sec home-news-image

Treatment of rheumatic fever with aspirin

Patients with rheumatic fever use aspirin primarily for its anti-inflammatory effects to reduce the inflammatory response. Aspirin also has analgesic properties that can be used to treat symptoms like joint pain associated with rheumatic fever. However, it is crucial to monitor patients taking aspirin for any gastrointestinal reactions, such as stomach pain or black stools. During the use of aspirin, it's important to be vigilant about these gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, medications that protect the stomach, such as pantoprazole which reduces stomach acid, can be used to prevent the side effects of aspirin. (Use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
53sec home-news-image

How to treat rheumatic fever?

Patients with rheumatic fever who develop a fever can first use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets for symptomatic fever reduction. At the same time, it is also necessary to actively treat the primary disease of rheumatic fever. If the rheumatic fever is induced by a streptococcal infection, additional anti-infection treatment is also needed. Furthermore, as rheumatic fever is also an autoimmune disease, while using NSAIDs to reduce fever, it is also necessary to add some immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate or leflunomide, to control the condition. Only on the basis of controlling the condition can rheumatic fever potentially be completely cured. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
46sec home-news-image

Is rheumatic fever prone to recurrence?

Rheumatic fever recurs because it is caused by an infection with Group A streptococcus. If the streptococcus is not completely eradicated, recurrence is likely. Therefore, it is critical for patients with rheumatic fever to undergo a full course of anti-infection treatment initially. The most commonly used treatments are antibiotics such as penicillin and second-generation cephalosporins. Additionally, long-acting benzathine penicillin treatment outside the hospital is necessary to completely eradicate the streptococcus, thereby preventing the recurrent episodes of rheumatic fever. If the streptococcus is well-controlled, the likelihood of recurrence of rheumatic fever will be relatively small.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
49sec home-news-image

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.