Facts
Did you know...
• Rheumatic fever is a serious disease that
can lead to permanent heart damage
Courage behind the smiles
All three children featured on the Bay of Plenty ‘sore throats matter’ pamphlets and
posters have experienced acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The children; Tutohia, Michael
and Mersayde and their whanau have very generously agreed to share their stories to
help raise awareness about rheumatic fever and the impact it has had on their lives.
• It is almost three times more common in
the Bay of Plenty than in New Zealand
overall
Tutohia Huriwaka feels a bit shy but proud to be on the cover of the Opotiki rheumatic
• Maori and Pacific children aged
between 5 -14 years are most at risk of
developing rheumatic fever
fever pamphlets and posters. “My friends often say that they have seen me and sometimes ask
what it is all about,” says Tutohia. He is now ‘world famous in New Zealand’ as the resources
have been distributed across the Bay of Plenty, Northland, Waikato, Wellington and Nelson.
Tutohia was only six years old when he had his first attack of rheumatic fever. He remembers
waking up in the night vomiting and feeling “cold and shaky with sore legs.” The episode of
rheumatic fever damaged his heart valve - this is called rheumatic heart disease. In 2009 Tutohia
went to Starship Hospital where he underwent surgery to repair the damaged heart valve.
Tutohia enjoys playing and watching rugby, swimming and reading. He receives a monthly
injection of Penicillin which will continue until he is at least 21 years old. This is to prevent another
attack of rheumatic fever which could lead to further heart damage. Tutohia understands that
although it can be sore, he needs to have the injection “to keep me going”.
If a friend came to Tutohia with a sore throat he would tell them to “go and get a throat swab
from Nita!”
• Rheumatic fever is preventable provided
sore throats are treated correctly
• An untreated sore throat (‘strep throat’)
can cause rheumatic fever
• If a child complains of a sore throat
make sure they are checked by a doctor
• If a ‘strep throat’ is diagnosed, the
doctor will usually prescribe a 10 day
course of antibiotics
• It is important to complete the whole 10
day course to prevent rheumatic fever
from developing
Michael Savage receives a lot of comments from family and friends about being on
• Sore throats matter – get them checked!
the Kawerau ‘sore throats matter’ pamphlets and posters. “They usually know why I am on the
brochure, but if not they read them to find out,” says Michael.
Michael was eleven years old when she became unwell with a sore throat and sore joints. In
addition, Michael couldn’t sleep because her arms and legs were constantly moving around.
She was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and Sydenham’s chorea (a rare symptom of rheumatic
fever that causes jerky limb movements).
Michael spent three weeks in hospital where she had an echocardiogram of her heart
and endless blood tests. “The whole family was worried because I had never been in hospital
before,” says Michael. Fortunately Michael recovered well and has exceeded her doctor’s
expectations. She has regained her independence and plays volleyball in summer and soccer in
winter.
Michael has mixed feelings about the monthly injections of Penicillin. “The bad bit is that it is
sore, but it is good to know that it keeps me from getting sick again,” says Michael.
Mersayde Akuhata was initially nervous but is now excited to be on the cover of the
Murupara rheumatic fever pamphlets and posters. “Everyone knows everyone in Murupara so it
is important to have a local person representing the community,” says Mersayde’s mum Linda.
Mersayde was just eight years old when she had an attack of acute rheumatic fever which
damaged her heart valve. As a result, Mersayde underwent heart surgery at Starship Hospital to
replace the damaged valve.
Mersayde is inspirational. She recovered so quickly from the heart surgery that even the
doctors were amazed. She loves school and always asks why she can’t have her paediatric
appointments outside school hours because she does not want to take a day off!
Mersayde enjoys playing netball and being with her family. “Most children who are
diagnosed with rheumatic fever can still lead a normal life and do what other children do if they
take care,” says Linda.
Although Mersayde is still learning about rheumatic fever, she understands the importance of
receiving monthly injections of Penicillin to prevent her heart from becoming maauiui or sick. The
last injection went really well, “she was a gun”, says Linda proudly.
Rheumatic fever is a preventable disease, provided sore throats are treated correctly.
If your child complains of a sore throat, take them to your local health centre to be
checked. By taking sore throats seriously we can help prevent life long illness and
suffering for our tamariki.
Free ‘Preventing Rheumatic Fever’ pamphlets and posters are available from
Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service. For further information phone Lindsay Lowe,
Rheumatic Fever Co-ordinator on (07) 577 3790 or 0800 221 555.
For further information go to
www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz
or talk to your doctor
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