Rheumatic fever facts for kids

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.

Images for kids

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  Pathophysiology of rheumatic heart disease

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  Micrograph showing an Aschoff body (right of image), as seen in rheumatic heart disease. H&E stain.

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  Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria (Pappenheim's stain), the trigger for rheumatic fever

See also

In Spanish: Fiebre reumática para niños