Rheumatic Fever
Even though the name indicates otherwise, this fever has nothing to do with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is called so due to several of the symptoms closely resembling those of RA.
The fever is actually a result of a strep throat infection which went either untreated, or wasn't treated well enough and usually occurs two to four weeks after the initial streptococcal infection.
Rheumatic Fever manifests itself by the following symptoms which include:
- Painful and tender joints which often start in and alternate between the larger joints of the legs and creep upward.
- Inflamed joints.
- Fever.
- Firm but painless knots under the skin on bones and/or tendons usually on the back of the wrist, the outside elbow, and the front of the knees.
- Chest pain, palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Nose bleeds.
- A rash.
- Uncontrollable movements in hands, feet and/or face.
- Unusual, emotional behavior.
How many of these symptoms you may experience vary per person and they can change over time, but the disease has to be treated since it may cause long-term complications and can result in permanent damage to the heart, heart valves, and lead to heart failure.
I had no clue an inadequately treated problem like strep throat could wreak so much havoc and could have such severe consequences, but that shouldn't come as a surprise; most problems in life can end up wreaking havoc and with the same, far-stretching, severe results.
It shows once more that it is best to tackle a problem at its roots and not let it fester and if you don't know how to go about it then prayer is the best solution; God will always lead and guide!
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
The fever is actually a result of a strep throat infection which went either untreated, or wasn't treated well enough and usually occurs two to four weeks after the initial streptococcal infection.
Rheumatic Fever manifests itself by the following symptoms which include:
- Painful and tender joints which often start in and alternate between the larger joints of the legs and creep upward.
- Inflamed joints.
- Fever.
- Firm but painless knots under the skin on bones and/or tendons usually on the back of the wrist, the outside elbow, and the front of the knees.
- Chest pain, palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Nose bleeds.
- A rash.
- Uncontrollable movements in hands, feet and/or face.
- Unusual, emotional behavior.
How many of these symptoms you may experience vary per person and they can change over time, but the disease has to be treated since it may cause long-term complications and can result in permanent damage to the heart, heart valves, and lead to heart failure.
I had no clue an inadequately treated problem like strep throat could wreak so much havoc and could have such severe consequences, but that shouldn't come as a surprise; most problems in life can end up wreaking havoc and with the same, far-stretching, severe results.
It shows once more that it is best to tackle a problem at its roots and not let it fester and if you don't know how to go about it then prayer is the best solution; God will always lead and guide!
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
0 Comments:
Post a Comment