Medical References
Diseases & Conditions
Women's Health
Mental Health
Men's Health
Healthy Choice News
Site Map Links
Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news
Rheumatic Fever
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Effective treatment of strep infections with antibiotics significantly lowers a person's risk of developing rheumatic fever. Individuals with these infections should take their full course of antibiotics, even after symptoms are gone.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
In 75% of people with rheumatic fever, the acute attack lasts only 6 weeks. Ninety percent of the cases of rheumatic fever resolve in 12 weeks or less. Fewer than 5% of people with rheumatic fever have symptoms that last for 6 months or more.
There are many possible complications as a result of rheumatic fever. They can include the following:
What are the risks to others?
Rheumatic fever itself is not contagious and poses no risk to others. However, the streptococcal infection can be highly contagious.