10/21/25 Public Health Education Topic: Rheumatic Fever
- Health Department
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Per CDC
Key points
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin.
Rheumatic fever can develop if strep throat, scarlet fever, or impetigo aren't treated properly.
Symptoms often include fever and painful, tender joints, with treatment focusing on managing inflammation and symptoms.
Serious complications include long-term heart damage.
Speak with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about rheumatic fever.
Symptoms
Rheumatic fever can develop about 1 to 5 weeks after a group A strep infection.
Common symptoms
Symptoms can include:
Arthritis (painful, tender joints)
Chorea (jerky, uncontrollable body movements)
Fatigue (tiredness)
Fever
Arthritis is most common in the knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists.
Uncommon symptoms
Rarely, symptoms can include:
Nodules (painless lumps) near joints
Rash with pink rings and a clear center
Heart-related symptoms
Symptoms of rheumatic fever can also include symptoms of congestive heart failure:
Chest pain
Fast heartbeat
Shortness of breath
In addition, someone with rheumatic fever can have:
A new heart murmur
An enlarged heart
Fluid around the heart
Complications
If rheumatic fever is not treated promptly, rheumatic heart disease may occur. Rheumatic heart disease weakens the valves between the chambers of the heart. Severe rheumatic heart disease can require heart surgery and result in death.
Risk factors
Anyone can get rheumatic fever after having strep throat, scarlet fever, or impetigo. Some factors can increase the risk of getting it.
Age
Rheumatic fever is more common in children than adults.
Most common: School-age children (5 through 15 years old)
Rare: Children younger than 3 years old and adults
Group settings
Crowded conditions can increase the risk of getting strep throat, scarlet fever, or impetigo. Thus, these settings can increase the risk for rheumatic fever if those infections aren't treated properly. These settings include:
Daycare centers and schools
Detention or correctional facilities
Homeless shelters
Military training facilities
Other health factors
Someone who had rheumatic fever is more likely to get it again if they get another group A strep infection.
To learn more please visit: About Rheumatic Fever | Group A Strep | CDC
