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Rheumatic fever

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Information

Picture of Rheumatic fever
Length
1 hour
Category
Ear, nose and throat
Publish Date
07 July 2017
Revisions
01 06 June 2021
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About this Course

Diagnosis, management and secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever.

Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune response to Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection of the upper respiratory tract.

The autoimmune response may result in carditis or inflammation of the mitral and/or aortic valves. When the inflammation leads to permanent damage of the valves the individual has rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Appropriate identification and antibiotic treatment of sore throats in high-risk populations will usually eliminate group A streptococcus and prevent individual cases of acute rheumatic fever. Sore throat management (primary prevention) is covered in the short course Sore throat management.

Learning objectives:

  • Know the clinical features of acute rheumatic fever.
  • Understand the principles of the initial management of acute rheumatic fever.
  • Know the secondary prevention required for acute rheumatic fever.
  • Be aware of strategies to improve the adherence of secondary prevention.

Acknowledgements

This material was written by Dr Karen Falloon PhD, MBChB, FRNZCGP.

Course Content

Activitites
Rheumatic fever Show activities
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever Quiz