Rheumatic fever for B.Sc. nursing programme

1. RHEUMATIC FEVER
BY
MR.RAVISHANKAR
NURSING TUTOR
OJASWINI NURSING COLLEGE, SAGAR

2. INTRODUCTION:-
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop
when strep throat or scarlet fever isn't properly treated. Strep
throat and scarlet fever are caused by an infection with
streptococcus bacteria. Rheumatic fever most often affects
children ages 5 to 15.

3. DEFINITION:-
“Rheumatic fever is a systemic disease of childhood ,
often recurrent that follows group A beta hemolytic
streptococcal infection”.

4. ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
Family history
Type of strep bacteria
Environmental factors- over crowded ,poor sanitation.

5. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION:-
Arthritis in several joints (polyarthritis)
Heart inflammation (carditis)
Skin rash (erythema marginatum)
Low grade fever
Joint pain
Irregular heart rhythm

6. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION:-
Electrocardiogram & echocardiogram
Blood test
• Full blood count
• ESR raised
• C-protein may be raised
Physical examination
Medical history

7. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT:-
Antibiotic therapy – penicillin, erythromycin.
Anti inflammatory- corticosteroids.
Analgesics- aspirin.

8. NURSING MANAGEMENT:-
Monitor vital signs.
Provide sponge bath to reduce fever.
Encourage patient to take rest.
Administer IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
Maintain cardiac output
Maintain activity- assist to patient in activities
of the daily living.