Acute rheumatic fever, popularly known as heart rheumatism, is one of the most common causes of acquired heart diseases in adulthood and especially in childhood all over the world. Untreated throat infections can develop into acute rheumatic fever (ARF) after about 3 weeks. Since this infection is common and very severe in places where people live together, such as schools, dormitories, and military units, inadequate treatment in these places increases the likelihood of developing acute rheumatic fever. Assoc. Prof. from the Department of Cardiology. Dr. Serkan Akdağ gave information about acute rheumatic fever.
Cardiac rheumatism can cause permanent damage to the body
Early diagnosis and development in industrialized countries. While the possibility of developing acute rheumatic fever and related heart valve diseases has decreased significantly compared to the past, thanks to adequate treatments, this situation still continues to be an important health problem in developing countries. The most common symptom of acute rheumatic fever is arthritis, which consists of pain, swelling and redness in the large joints. Although this very painful joint stiffness usually heals without leaving any residue, in some cases it may cause permanent damage after heart and brain stiffness.
If you have these symptoms, consult a doctor
Shortness of breath,
Easily getting tired while walking
Coldness in hands and feet,
Dry cough,
Feeling of fatigue
Heart palpitations
Attention to children between the ages of 5-15
Cardiac involvement is seen in up to 50% of all patients with acute rheumatic fever and In approximately 70% of patients who develop heart involvement, it becomes more pronounced in later years and causes heart valve damage. The age at which the infection occurs is usually childhood (between 5 and 15 years of age). After the early problems pass, patients do not have any complaints for a long time. Complaints such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations due to valve damage begin to appear between the ages of 20 and 40. The disease progresses very slowly It has character. However, frequent attacks of throat infection can accelerate the course of the disease and cause complaints to appear at an earlier age. This important point reveals the necessity of protecting patients from frequent illnesses. The most important protection method used all over the world is protective injections administered every 2 days. This is a situation where the form of treatment, dose and duration of application are decided by the physician after evaluating many factors together.
Early diagnosis and treatment are of vital importance
Early diagnosis and adequate treatment of throat infections in childhood and taking adequate protective measures in public places will reduce the likelihood of developing acute rheumatic fever. In patients with acute rheumatic fever, early diagnosis and treatment, preventive treatments for appropriate duration and dose, and annual echocardiography follow-up for control purposes will minimize the rate of development of valve damage in the future and the need for early intervention due to valve damage.
Read: 0
