Final answer:
The American Heart Association recommends giving antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever within 9 days or 216 hours of initial symptoms of group A strep throat infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American Heart Association recommends giving antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever within 9 days or 216 hours of initial symptoms of group A strep throat infection.
Rheumatic fever is a serious complication that can develop after a strep throat infection caused by specific rheumatogenic strains of Streptococcus pyogenes. If left untreated or inadequately treated, it can lead to rheumatic heart disease. To prevent rheumatic fever, it is important to start antibiotics as soon as possible after the initial symptoms of the infection.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is not listed among the choices given. It is important to start antibiotics within the recommended timeframe to prevent the development of rheumatic fever.