Rheumatic fever is a complicated, involved disease that affects the joints, skin, heart, blood vessels, and brain. It is a systemic immune disease that may develop after an infection with streptococcus bacteria, such as strep throat and scarlet fever.
Rheumatic fever is a delayed, autoimmune reaction to the streptococcus bacteria.
It can be prevented with prompt diagnosis of strep throat, and treatment of strep throat with antibiotics. It is uncommon in the US, except in children who have had strep infections that were untreated or inadequately treated. The symptoms of rheumatic fever usually start about one to five weeks after your child has been infected with streptococcus bacteria. The following are the most common symptoms of rheumatic fever. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.