In rheumatic heart disease, the damaged heart valve either does not completely close or completely open. Sometimes damage to heart valves is not immediately noticeable, but eventually damaged heart valves can cause serious, even disabling, problems. These problems depend on the severity of the damage and on which heart valve is affected. The most advanced condition is congestive heart failure. Symptoms, which vary greatly, typically begin one to six weeks after a bout of strep throat, although in some cases the infection may have been too mild to have been recognized.
Treatment can usually stop acute rheumatic fever from developing.
People who have already had attacks of rheumatic fever are more susceptible to further attacks and the risk of heart damage. They may be given continuous monthly or daily antibiotic treatment, perhaps even for life. They also are given a different antibiotic when they undergo dental or surgical procedures that may increase the risk of bacterial endocarditis. Click here to view the Online Resources page of this web.