Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that happens in children and young adults as a result of becoming infected by group A streptococci bacteria. The first attack usually happens between the ages of 5 and 15. It affects the heart, skin, joints and the central nervous system. It is most common in the Middle East, eastern Europe, South America and the Far East and is rare in western Europe and North America. Treatment includes resting in bed and antibiotics.
Wolfgang Mozart, the famous composer famously died of rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic Fever Media
Pathophysiology of rheumatic heart disease
Micrograph showing an Aschoff body (right of image), as seen in rheumatic heart disease. H&E stain
Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria (Pappenheim's stain), the trigger for rheumatic fever
Deaths from rheumatic heart disease per million persons in 20120–7 8–14 15–20 21–25 26–32 33–38 39–45 46–52 53–63 64–250
