Definition
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory pathology of infectious origin, which affects various organs and systems of the body. More precisely, rheumatic fever is a complication that can occur following a bacterial infection.
The central nervous system, the heart, the joints and the skin are the districts of the body most affected by the aforementioned inflammation.
Rheumatic fever mainly affects pediatric patients, especially children aged between 5 and 15 years.
Causes
As persistent, rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can occur following a bacterial infection, supported by group A streptococcus.
The infection itself, however, is not the only one responsible for the onset of rheumatic fever. In fact, it seems that the inflammation is caused by a malfunction in the immune system that - previously activated to counteract the streptococcus - at some point starts to attack the organism itself. The cause of this, however, has not yet been fully clarified.
Moreover, among the risk factors that can favor the appearance of rheumatic fever - in addition to the poor sanitary conditions that favor the contraction of streptococcal infections - we also find genetic factors. In fact, some people have a certain genetic predisposition for the development of this disease.
Symptoms
Since the central snowy system, the heart, the skin and the joints appear to be the body districts most affected by inflammation, episodes of migratory polyarthritis, inflammation of endocardium, myocardium and pericardium may occur in patients suffering from rheumatic fever valvular dysfunctions, arrhythmias, cardiomegaly, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, pain in the joints, muscles and bones, joint swelling, Sydenham's chorea, headache, mood swings, drowsiness, asthenia, erythema, rash, subcutaneous nodules and edema.
Often, the disorders described above can occur in association with abdominal pain, chest pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, cough, water retention, pallor, anorexia, body weight loss, increased ESR, hepatic congestion.
Information on Rheumatic Fever - Medicines to Treat Rheumatic Fever is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Rheumatic Fever - Medicines to Treat Rheumatic Fever.
drugs
In some cases, rheumatic fever can resolve itself without the use of drugs. However, if not properly treated, this inflammatory disease can cause permanent damage.
Although, in reality, there are no real drugs to treat rheumatic fever, one can undertake pharmacological treatments aimed at reducing the symptoms. In fact, generally, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In more severe cases and / or in the presence of severe carditis, corticosteroids may also be prescribed.
Obviously, if group A streptococcus infection is still present, it is necessary to intervene with adequate antibiotic therapies to eradicate the infectious agent in question.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to treat rheumatic fever due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties.
Therefore, they are useful for reducing inflammation and for controlling the acute symptoms induced by it.
Among the active ingredients most used, we recall:
- Ibuprofen (Brufen ®, Moment ®, Nurofen ®, Arfen ®, Actigrip fever and pain ®, Vicks fever and pain ®): it is a drug available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different routes of administration. In children, ibuprofen is usually administered orally or rectally.
When used orally, the dose of medication used should not exceed 1, 200 mg of active ingredient per day. In any case, the exact dosage of the medicine must be established by the doctor on an individual basis, according to the severity of the disease and according to the age and body weight of each patient.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can, however, cause serious side effects. For this reason, their use is reserved for the most serious cases of rheumatic fever and in cases where there are also serious carditis. However, their use must be under the strict control of the doctor.
Among the various active ingredients that can be used, we mention prednisone (Deltacortene ®). The dose of active ingredient usually administered orally varies from 5 mg to 15 mg a day.
The exact amount of drug to be taken must always be established by the doctor on an individual basis for each patient.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to completely eradicate the infection caused by group A streptococcus.
Among the most widely used antibiotics, we recall:
- Amoxicillin (Augmentin ®, Zimox ®, Amox ®, Clavulin ®, Velamox ®): Amoxicillin is an antibiotic belonging to the class of penicillins.
The dose of medication usually used in children is 20-30 mg / kg of body weight per day. Generally, the treatment lasts 10 days. In any case, the exact dosage of medicine must be established by the doctor.
- Erythromycin (Erythrocin ®): erythromycin is an antibiotic belonging to the class of macrolides. It is usually used in patients who have experienced allergies to penicillins.
The dose of erythromycin used in children varies according to their age and body weight and must be established by the doctor, therefore, it is essential to follow the indications provided by it.
