Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is a very rare complication that can develop after a bacterial throat infection. It can cause painful joints and heart problems. Most people make a full recovery, but it can come back.

How rheumatic fever is treated

If you or your child are diagnosed with rheumatic fever, you'll have treatment to relieve the symptoms and control inflammation.

You may need:

• antibiotics
• painkillers – given as tablets, capsules or a liquid you drink
• steroid injections – if your pain is severe
• medicines – if you're having jerky, uncontrollable movements

You should also get plenty of bed rest to help with your recovery.

Most people usually make a full recovery after about a month. But it can sometimes take longer to get better.

Ongoing treatment for rheumatic fever

If you have had rheumatic fever once, it makes it more likely that it could come back, so make sure to get sore throats treated early.

You may also be advised to take antibiotics for several years to try to stop it returning.

It's less likely that it'll come back if it's been 5 years since you last had an episode and if you're older than 25.

But it can cause permanent damage to your heart (rheumatic heart disease). This can take years to show up, so you may need regular check-ups and further treatment when you're older.

Always ask a doctor what ongoing treatment you may need.

See a GP if:

Symptoms of rheumatic fever

Symptoms usually appear 2 to 4 weeks after you have had a bacterial throat infection.

They include:

• a high temperature of 38C or above (fever)
• redness, pain and swelling of your joints (arthritis) – usually ankles, knees, wrists or elbows
• pain in your chest, breathlessness and a fast heart rate
• jerky, uncontrollable movements in your hands, feet and face
• tiny bumps under your skin
• pale-red patches on your arms and tummy

Causes of rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever occurs after you have had a bacterial throat infection. But most people who have had a throat infection won't develop rheumatic fever.

It's not caused by the bacteria itself but by your immune system fighting off the infection and attacking the healthy tissue instead.

It's not known why your immune system can suddenly stop working properly. But your genes may make it more likely that you'll get rheumatic fever.

Page last reviewed: Mon Apr 2021 Next review due: Mon Apr 2021