Final answer:
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a sequela of streptococcal pharyngitis, with major criteria including carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and subcutaneous nodules. Treatment involves antimicrobial therapy to eradicate the infection and anti-inflammatory treatments to manage inflammation. Long-term prophylaxis is also vital for preventing recurrence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a sequela of streptococcal pharyngitis, caused by group A streptococcus (S. pyogenes). The five major criteria for diagnosing ARF, also known as the Jones criteria, include carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and subcutaneous nodules. Comorbidities such as arthritis and carditis can be seen, and the presence of acute-phase proteins indicates an inflammatory response.
Treatment (Tx) for ARF primarily involves eradicating the streptococcal infection with antimicrobial therapy, typically using penicillin or other suitable antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory treatments such as aspirin or corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation, particularly in cases of severe carditis. It is also important to manage any cardiac complications and implement long-term secondary prevention strategies to prevent recurrent attacks, which may include continuous antibiotic prophylaxis.
Patients previously diagnosed with ARF are at high risk for recurrence upon subsequent streptococcal infections. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal infections are essential to prevent the disease's progression and serious sequelae like rheumatic heart disease.