Prior to the introduction of antibiotics rheumatism it was one of the most common childhood diseases in the world. Approximately 5 cases per 1000. Now this figure has decreased to 1000 times. The merit of not only drugs, but also hygiene
Doctors often do not recognize rheumatism, so this was a rare occurrence. But there is still a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever, which no unmistakable. This autoimmune reaction to streptococcal infection.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever in children
Streptococcal infection produces streptolysin, which destroys red blood cells and spreads throughout the body, reaching out to authorities. The immune system starts to produce antibodies that can mistakenly attack the connective tissue, joints and heart.
- The disease may begin with acute pharyngitis (sore throat), otitis media, at least - with caries or boil.
- Most often, acute rheumatic fever occurs in children between 6 and 15 years, at a younger age is rare.
- Alternation 1-5 weeks after suffering tonsillitis may suddenly jump up to the temperature of 39-40, the child often complains of a headache, pain in the joints.
- painful nodules may appear under the skin.
Rheumatic fever in children: causes, symptoms, treatment is not confused with other diseases / istockphoto.com
Types of rheumatic fever in children
1. Acute rheumatic fever - brunt falls on the joints. Developing arthritis. Suffer knees, ankles: they hurt, redden, swell.
Pain is relieved by aspirin, but may be renewed within 2-6 days.
The main danger: if the temperature is decreased, doctors tend to explain all the pains of growth, not seeing the true reasons. If you do not turn to the rheumatologist, the disease worsened, and after a while will give heart complications.
2. Rheumatic fever with heart involvement manifested by shortness of breath, cough, palpitations, sometimes - pain in the abdomen and vomiting.
If this occurs in 1-5 weeks after a sore throat, then a rheumatologist and cardiologist should fall faster than a gastroenterologist. It would be desirable all attributed to poisoning.
3. Rheumatic chorea - twitching of facial muscles, legs or arms - may appear in 2-5 months after the sore throat, so parents do not link these two events. The child appears nervous tic, which is more and more noticeable. This form of the disease characterized by girls.
Rheumatic fever in children: causes, symptoms, treatment is not confused with other diseases / istockphoto.com
The criteria for the early diagnosis of rheumatism
In the world to confirm the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) using Jones' criteria.
For all forms of the disease, it is necessary to coincide the basic criterion 2 or 1 primary and 2 secondary or 3 secondary.
Rheumatic fever in children: causes, symptoms, treatment is not confused with other diseases / istockphoto.com
The main criteria for ARF
- jumps
- carditis (inflammation of the heart membranes - defines echocardiogram)
- arthritis - inflammation of multiple joints
- nodules under the skin
- red blisters on the skin
Secondary criteria for ARF
- temperature above 38.5 C.
- joint pain (even without appreciable external inflammation)
- elevated ESR and CRP, and ASO in a blood test
That is, when screening for rheumatism, you will need:
- donate blood - a general analysis with leukocyte formula
- donate blood on a reactive C-protein and ASO
- to make an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram
rheumatism treatment
Since rheumatic fever - a complication of streptococcal infections, the best way to treat - the identification and elimination of aggressive bacteria.
- When a sore throat on the first day to do a rapid test for strep. Thanks to him, we will know - is a viral or bacterial infection. On this depends the use of antibiotics. Without them, Streptococcus not win.
- If antibiotic therapy was appointed late rheumatic fever begins. In this case, for pain relief prescribed aspirin, Panadol, Nurofen for 6-8 weeks and antibiotics.
- mandatory medical supervision, as aspirin is bad for the stomach and the liver, and ibuprofen - for kidneys.
- If on a background of aspirin for 24 hours did not feel better, call an ambulance immediately.
at ARF involving the heart drugs chooses cardiologist. The dose of antibiotics may increase. With the development of rheumatic heart disease will only help the operation.
VERY IMPORTANT: Many people somehow believe that the sore throat (streptococcal pharyngitis), unlike SARS is not contagious. In fact, ill considered dangerous to others for another day from the start of antibiotic treatment.
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