What type of immune system disease is rheumatic fever?

What type of immune system disease is rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is classed as an autoimmune disease because the inflammation is probably caused by the immune system’s reaction to the bacteria. While rheumatic fever can develop at any age, children between five and 14 years are at increased risk.

What is the scientific name for rheumatic fever?

Acute rheumatic fever is a delayed sequela of pharyngitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes, which are also called group A Streptococcus or group A strep. The etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment options, prognosis and complications, and prevention are described below.

Is rheumatic fever a rheumatic disease?

Since rheumatic fever is the cause of rheumatic heart disease, the best treatment is to prevent rheumatic fever by using antibiotics to treat strep infections.

What type of fever is rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop when strep throat or scarlet fever isn’t properly treated. Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by an infection with streptococcus (strep-toe-KOK-us) bacteria.

Why is it called rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is thought to be caused by a response of the body’s defense system — the immune system. The immune system responds to the earlier strep throat or scarlet fever infection and causes a generalized inflammatory response.

What kind of infection causes rheumatic fever?

Summary Summary. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that may develop after infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria, such as strep throat or scarlet fever.

Can A strep throat infection cause rheumatic fever?

Early diagnosis of these infections and treatment with antibiotics are key to preventing rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever may develop after strep throat or scarlet fever infections that are not treated properly. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause strep throat and scarlet fever.

How long does it take for rheumatic fever to develop?

How You Get Rheumatic Fever. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause strep throat and scarlet fever. It usually takes about 1 to 5 weeks after strep throat or scarlet fever for rheumatic fever to develop. Rheumatic fever is thought to be caused by a response of the body’s defense system — the immune system.

Is it common to have scarlet fever and rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is a very rare complication of scarlet fever and strep throat. It can happen when one of these infections goes untreated. How common is rheumatic fever? While strep infections are common in the U.S., rheumatic fever is not.

What is the pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever?

PATHOGENESIS OF RHEUMATIC FEVER. These include: (1) direct infection (for example, by the group A streptococcus); (2) effects of a streptococcal toxin (streptolysin O has been among the most commonly discussed); and (3) most feasibly, the concept of antigenic mimicry in association with an abnormal immune response.

Early diagnosis of these infections and treatment with antibiotics are key to preventing rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever may develop after strep throat or scarlet fever infections that are not treated properly. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause strep throat and scarlet fever.

Why is rheumatic fever not common in the United States?

Rheumatic fever is a rare but serious disease caused by untreated strep throat or scarlet fever. It is not common in the United States due to the widespread use of antibiotics to treat these conditions. The disease occurs more in the developing world, where infections by group A streptococcus may go undiagnosed and untreated.

Why do I have scarlet fever and rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever. Overview. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of inadequately treated strep throat or scarlet fever. Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by an infection with streptococcus bacteria.