Rheumatic fever

Symptoms of rheumatic fever

Symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after you've had a bacterial throat infection. They include:

• a high temperature of 38°C or above (fever)
• redness, pain and swelling of your joints (arthritis) – usually ankles, knees, wrists or elbows
• pain in your chest, breathlessness and a fast heart rate
• jerky, uncontrollable movements in your hands, feet and face
• tiny bumps under your skin
• pale-red patches on your arms and tummy

When to see your GP

You should see your GP if:

• you've had rheumatic fever before and you think it's come back
• you've had a bacterial throat infection recently and you develop symptoms of rheumatic fever

How rheumatic fever is treated

If you or your child are diagnosed with rheumatic fever, you'll have treatment to relieve the symptoms and control inflammation.

You may need:

• antibiotics
• painkillers – given as tablets, capsules or a liquid you drink
• steroid injections – if your pain is severe
• medicines – if you're having jerky, uncontrollable movements

You should also get plenty of bed rest to help with your recovery.

Most people usually make a full recovery after about a month. But it can sometimes take longer to get better.

Ongoing treatment for rheumatic fever

If you've had rheumatic fever once, it makes it more likely that it could come back. You should make sure to get sore throats treated early.

You may also be advised to take antibiotics for several years to try to stop it returning.

It's less likely that it'll come back if it's been five years since you last had an episode and you're older than 25.

But it can cause permanent damage to your heart (rheumatic heart disease). This can take years to show up. So you may need regular check-ups and further treatment when you're older.

Always ask a doctor what ongoing treatment you may need.

Causes of rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever occurs after you've had a bacterial throat infection. But most people who've had a throat infection won't develop rheumatic fever.

It's not caused by the bacteria itself but by your immune system fighting off the infection and attacking the healthy tissue instead.

It's not known why your immune system can suddenly stop working properly. But your genes may make it more likely that you'll get rheumatic fever.

More useful links

• How to use your health services