It is really important that you take all your
medicine as directed until it is finished so that all
the group A strep bugs are killed.
SORE THROATS…
can break a heart
Be smokefree and follow a balanced healthy diet to
reduce the risk of further damage to your heart.
For further details about rheumatic fever please
contact a doctor or Public Health Nurse in your
area.
RHEUMATIC FEVER
…what is it?
Phone 09 623 4600
Fax 09 630 7431
www.arphs.govt.nz
Text courtesy of Northland Public Health Unit, Nov 2009
Printed: November 2009
RHEUMATIC FEVER
…what is it?
Rheumatic fever is a serious disease that can cause
permanent damage to the heart.
In New Zealand over 90% of rheumatic fever
affects Pacific people or Māori.
What causes rheumatic fever?
What can I do to prevent rheumatic fever?
Group A streptococcal bacteria throat infection
(commonly known as “strep throat”) can cause
a reaction, which leads to rheumatic fever. This
often starts with a sore throat. Weeks later
it may lead to joint pain, tiredness, fever or
jerky movements. Heart damage can develop
immediately or within a few months. People who
have had rheumatic fever may get further attacks
of the illness if they are not treated.
If the swab shows that the group A strep bug is
present, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics which
need to be taken by mouth for 10 days. The whole
10 day course must be completed to kill all the
group A strep bugs and prevent rheumatic fever
from developing. Sometimes the doctor may offer
you a penicillin injection instead of the 10 day
course. Both types of treatment are effective. Talk
to your doctor or nurse about the choices.
Do all sore throats lead to rheumatic fever?
Many people have sore throats that just go away in
a few days, BUT…if a sore throat is caused by the
group A strep bug it could lead to rheumatic fever.
How do I know if it is a group A strep bug?
Only a throat swab can tell if the group A strep
bug is present. If a child or young person has a
sore throat get it checked by a doctor and ask the
doctor to take a throat swab.
Who is most at risk?
Anyone can get rheumatic fever but those most at
risk are:
lChildren and young people between the ages
of 5 and 15 years old
l Māori and Pacific children
l People who have family/Whanau with
rheumatic fever
l People who share a house with lots of others
If you are waiting for a swab result and haven’t
heard within 3 days please call your doctor or
nurse to enquire whether antibiotics are needed.
The group A strep bug is spread by coughing and
sneezing around others. People should cover their
mouths when coughing and sneezing, and make
sure they wash and dry their hands thoroughly.
Rheumatic fever – what if I get it?
lYou will need to go hospital for bedrest,
antibiotics, blood tests, and heart checks.
lWhen you come home you could be off school
or work – and you may be too tired to do your
usual sport and physical activities.
lYou will need regular doctor’s visits and
dental checks. Remember to always tell the
nurse and dental therapist that you have had
rheumatic fever.
lYou will need monthly antibiotic injections for
at least 10 years. It is vital that you have these
injections to protect your body from further
attacks of rheumatic fever.