Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Streptococcus pyogenes infection such as streptococcal pharyngitis. Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart joints skin and brain the illness typically develops two to three weeks after a streptococcal infection. Acute rheumatic fever commonly appears in children between the ages of 6 and 15 with only 20% of first-time attacks occurring in adults.
Rheumatic fever affects the connective tissue of the body, causing temporary, painful arthritis and other symptoms. In some cases rheumatic fever causes long-term damage to the heart and its valves. This is called rheumatic heart disease
