Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Also known as ARF · RHD · Rheumatic fever · Rheumatic heart disease

GP-fellowship guide to acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: the autoimmune sequela of group A streptococcal infection, 2015 Jones criteria diagnosis, secondary prophylaxis with monthly benzathine penicillin G as the cornerstone of control, register-based follow-up care, pregnancy risks, echo screening in high-risk populations, and the housing and social determinants that drive the world's highest burden in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

medium21 referencesUpdated 24 Aug 20265 min readVerification in progress

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Overview

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune disorder resulting from group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis or impetigo in children and adolescents, which may evolve to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with persistent cardiac valve damage. RHD causes substantial mortality and morbidity globally, predominantly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.^[2] ARF and RHD remain major drivers of preventable cardiovascular mortality and disability in low-income and middle-income countries.^[1]

References21Show

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