Question

A 7-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. In obtaining a health history from the child's mother, the recent occurrence of which illness is most significant?

a. Chickenpox
b. Mumps
c. Sore throat
d. Influenza

Answer 1

Acute rheumatic fever is most commonly associated with a previous untreated streptococcal pharyngitis, or sore throat, not with illnesses like chickenpox, mumps, or influenza.

Step-by-step explanation:

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is most significantly associated with the sequelae of an untreated streptococcal pharyngitis infection, commonly known as a sore throat. While other illnesses mentioned, such as chickenpox, mumps, and influenza, can be serious, they do not typically lead to rheumatic fever. ARF typically occurs a few weeks after the episode of pharyngitis if it is not properly treated with antibiotics.

ARF is a result of an autoimmune reaction to the infection with Streptococcus pyogenes. Diagnosis and treatment of the initial streptococcal infection is crucial as ARF can lead to rheumatic heart disease, affecting the circulatory system and potentially causing mortality in young patients in regions where appropriate care is not accessible.