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Symptoms of Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever begins about 19 days after the start of a streptococcal sore throat. There is fever and inflammation of one or more of the larger joints, with pain and swelling. As the symptoms become less severe in one joint they tend to start up in another. Sometimes several joints are affected at the same time.

An attack of rheumatic fever may last for six weeks or longer.  Symptoms can be successfully treated, which often makes it difficult to be sure whether or not the fever has gone. However, there are various tests that can indicate whether or not the disease is active.

Sydenham’s chorea (‘St Vitus’ dance’), a gradually progressive nervous system disorder, is another symptom that may occur. It features uncontrollable, jerky movements of the limbs and body.

Heart damage may also occur as a result of rheumatic fever.  Often, the damage happens slowly, over a long period of time, and there may be few or no symptoms.  In the most severe cases this can lead to heart failure.

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