Question

Acute Rheumatic Fever

- Treatment: Oral PCN (erythromycin) for 10 days, then prophylactic till 20
- Complications: Mitral stenosis, (then aortic or tricuspid involvment)

Answer 1

Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is a sequela of Streptococcal pharyngitis that primarily affects children. It is characterized by nonsuppurative, immune-mediated damage caused by a cross-reaction between antibodies to bacterial surface proteins and similar proteins found on cardiac, neuronal, and synovial tissues. The complications of ARF include arthritis and carditis, which can lead to the development of Mitral stenosis, and in some cases, involvement of the aortic or tricuspid valve.

Step-by-step explanation:

Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is a sequela of Streptococcal pharyngitis that primarily affects children. It is characterized by nonsuppurative, immune-mediated damage caused by a cross-reaction between antibodies to bacterial surface proteins and similar proteins found on cardiac, neuronal, and synovial tissues. The complications of ARF include arthritis and carditis, which can lead to the development of Mitral stenosis, and in some cases, involvement of the aortic or tricuspid valve. The treatment for ARF involves oral Penicillin (erythromycin) for 10 days, followed by prophylactic treatment till 20. This treatment regimen helps prevent recurrent episodes of ARF and its associated complications.