Rheumatic Fever

Abstract

Group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infection is known to cause rheumatic fever, but how it does so remains a mystery. If physicians adhere to the “Jones criteria,” they can diagnose the disease with reasonable uniformity. Treating streptococcal infections with penicillin will prevent rheumatic fever. Once a patient has the disease, aspirin or a steroid will usually relieve symptoms.