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Rheumatic Fever |
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Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease which may develop after an infection with streptococcus bacteria (such as strep throat or scarlet fever) and can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain.
Rheumatic fever is common worldwide and is responsible for many cases of damaged heart valves. While it is far less common in the United States since the beginning of the 20th century, there have been a few outbreaks since the 1980s.
Rheumatic fever primarily affects children between ages six and 15 and occurs approximately 20 days after strep throat or scarlet fever. In up to a third of cases, the underlying strep infection may not have caused any symptoms.
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