Before antibiotic medicines became widely used, rheumatic
fever was the largest cause of valve disease. Rheumatic fever is a condition
that is a complication of untreated strep throat. Strep throat is caused by a
group A streptococcal infection found in the throat.
Rheumatic fever can damage body tissues by causing them to
swell, but its greatest danger lies in the damage it can do to your heart. More
than half of the time, rheumatic fever leads to scarring of the heart's valves.
This scarring can narrow the valve and make it harder for the valve to open
properly or to close completely. In turn, your heart has to work harder to pump
blood to the rest of your body. This valve damage can lead to a condition
called rheumatic heart disease, which, in time, can lead to congestive heart
failure.
Rheumatic fever is not an infection itself, rather the
result of an untreated strep infection. When the body senses the strep
infection, it sends antibodies to fight it. Sometimes, these antibodies attack
the tissues of joints or the heart instead. If the antibodies attack the heart
they can cause the heart valves to swell, which can lead to scarring of the
valve "doors." (The doors are called leaflets.) The scarred leaflets
make it harder for the valve to either open or close properly, or both.
The symptoms of rheumatic fever usually begin 1 to 6 weeks
after a strep infection. The symptoms are fever, joint pain or swelling in your
wrists, elbows, knees, or ankles. Small bumps under the skin over elbows or
knees (called nodules). Maybe a small
raised red rash on the chest, back, or stomach, experience stomach pain or
feeling less hungry. Weakness, shortness of breath, or feeling very tired
Please remember that Rheumatic Fever needs immediate medical
attention!
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar