rheumatic fever

rheumatic fever

noun

Definition of RHEUMATIC FEVER

: an acute disease that occurs chiefly in children and young adults and is characterized by fever, by inflammation and pain in and around the joints, and by inflammatory involvement of the pericardium and heart valves

First Known Use of RHEUMATIC FEVER

1782

rheumatic fever

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RHEUMATIC FEVER

: an acute often recurrent disease that occurs chiefly in children and young adults following Group A streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract (as in strep throat) and is characterized by fever, inflammation, pain, and swelling in and around the joints, inflammatory involvement of the pericardium and valves of the heart, and often the formation of small nodules chiefly in the subcutaneous tissues and the heart

rheumatic fever

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Generalized disease caused by certain types of streptococcus bacteria. It occurs mostly in children and young adults. Symptoms may be mild or severe. Sudden fever, joint pain, and inflammation may begin days to weeks after a streptococcal infection, usually of the throat (see pharyngitis). Other symptoms may include skin nodules and rashes, chorea, abdominal pain, nosebleeds, and weight loss. Heart inflammation, with accompanying rapid heartbeat, murmurs, and enlargement, can lead to valve scarring, markedly shortening life. After recovery, survivors are prone to future attacks. Penicillin given when the initial infection is diagnosed can prevent it. Otherwise, salicylic acid derivatives or corticosteroids help the symptoms.