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Serious severity
· Cardiology
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Damaged valves after rheumatic fever
Untreated strep throat in childhood can trigger rheumatic fever, which scars the heart valves. Preventable with timely antibiotics; surgical if severe.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 1000 South Asian kids
- Typical age
- 5–15 years onset
- Outlook
- Preventable, lifelong if missed
- System
- Heart
Reviewed by a practising cardiology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Untreated streptococcal sore throat
- Recurrent throat infections
- Crowded living conditions
- Genetic susceptibility
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Breathlessness on effort
- Fatigue and palpitations
- Chest discomfort
- Swollen legs in late stages
- Heart murmur on exam
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Long-term penicillin prophylaxis
- Anti-failure medications
- Valve repair or replacement surgery
- Anticoagulation if AF develops
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Treat every sore throat with rapid strep test
- Penicillin for 10 full days if positive
- Monthly benzathine penicillin shots if rheumatic fever occurred
- Yearly cardiology review
Do’s
- Finish every antibiotic course
- Keep up monthly penicillin shots
- Maintain dental hygiene to prevent endocarditis
- Inform doctors before any surgery
Don’ts
- Stop antibiotics when sore throat eases
- Skip dental visits
- Get pregnant without cardiac clearance
- Use steroids for sore throat
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.