Rheumatic fever. Symptoms, treatment

Rheumatic fever is a disease of connective tissue, affecting the nervous system, cardiovascular apparatus, as well as skin integument. The youngest person from 7 to 15 years is most susceptible to this ailment. Rheumatic fever occurs against the background of a streptococcal infection and, as a rule, has a recurrent character. Over the past decade, the number of patients with this pathology has significantly decreased.

What triggers the onset of the disease

Quite often, rheumatic fever occurs in young people with hypothermia, malnutrition. Hereditary predisposition is also of great importance. It is noted that it is women and girls who suffer most from this pathology. The risk category also includes people who suffer from frequent nasopharyngeal diseases or who have experienced acute streptococcal infection.

Rheumatic fever: symptoms

Rheumatism appears 7 to 14 days after the transfer of such infectious diseases as pharyngitis or angina. Then comes the "latent" (latent) period, the duration of which can be from 1 to 3 weeks. At this time the patient is practically not bothered by any symptoms. In some cases, slight malaise, slight increase in body temperature is possible. Then comes the second period, characterized by more severe symptoms. The patient may have a manifestation of polyarthritis, carditis, changes in laboratory parameters. Rheumatic fever also causes pain in the middle and large joints, arthritis. Often, patients complain of worsening memory, fatigue, irritability.

Rheumatic fever: treatment

The fight against the disease consists in strict adherence to the regime and regular intake of medications that eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Repeated rheumatic fever with proper treatment, as a rule, is not observed. The doctor prescribes penicillin antibiotics and macrolides. After the activity of the disease decreases, these preparations should be continued to drink for another 4-5 years. To reduce the number of inflammatory conditions, NSAIDs or ibuprofen are prescribed. The dosage of medications depends on the patient's condition. In addition, it is recommended to take diuretics, especially if the patient suffers from edema. Anti-arrhythmic drugs are prescribed for the treatment of heart defects, resulting from the disease . With a serious condition of the cardiovascular system, a surgical operation is possible.

Prevention

Preventive measures consist in adequate and timely treatment of infection caused by streptococcal microorganisms. For these purposes, various antibiotics are used. The course of treatment usually takes 10 days. To prevent repeated rheumatic fever, extensillin is prescribed. If untimely or unqualified treatment, complications such as heart disease or infective endocarditis may occur .