Tofiga Fepulea'i and Doctor Sarah Sciascia (a GP at Ora Toa Takapuwahia Medical Centre in Porirua) talk about sore throats and rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
Rheumatic fever - the Katoa twins journey
A video featuring the Katoa twins who share their rheumatic fever journey.
Source: Ministry of Health
Rheumatic fever - a parent's perspective
A video featuring Paula, mum to Riley and Hakopa, talking about what it was like when Hakopa got rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
Rheumatic fever - a child's perspective
Talia'uli talks about his experience of having rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
transcribeTranscript
[Music]
(Talia'uli Vete)
My name is Talia'uli Vete. I'm 11 years old.
I play for Mount Roskill District. When I grow up I want to be a rugby player, for the All Blacks. I'm learning how to kick like Daniel Carter.
[Music]
One day I went to school where, we were running. I was coming fourth, and suddenly my chest like just started uh feeling like slowing down and I felt so tired and weak. I dropped back and I started coming second to last.
I told my mum I was going to die. I nearly died on the race.
(Mum)
He said to me Mum, I nearly die at school. I feel like I don't have any air, any more air to breathe.
(Talia'uli Vete)
The next morning my mum took me to hospital.
When the doctor told me my heart was damaged, I was laughing for a while because I thought it was not true. I thought he was joking, and then um they told me it's true. I caught rheumatic fever.
(Mum)
I was just sitting there crying and looking at my son and I just said to myself, please don't tell me that my son is going to die, because I don't want to lose him.
(Dad, speaking in a Pacific language. English translation: What I felt was the love for my son).
(Mum)
It's quite hard to explain how we feel, when they are like telling us, knowing that there's something wrong with his heart.
(Talia'uli Vete)
I take injections every month. I have to have my injections until I'm 21. That's 10 more years. The doctor told me not to play rugby for a little while.
If I couldn't play rugby anymore I would just feel like bored.
I thought my sore throat wouldn't be that dangerous. I thought it would just go away just simply.
When you have a sore throat it's best to go to a doctor straight away.
(Voiceover)
Sore throats can lead to rheumatic fever and heart damage.
Every time your child has a sore throat, please, get them checked by a doctor or nurse as soon as possible.
If they're given antibiotics, make sure they take them for the full 10 days, even if they feel better.
If you're not sure what to do, call Healthline for advice.
[Music]
Rheumatic fever - a child's perspective
A video of KEA Kids News where Tonielle Shaw, 12, shares her battle with rheumatic fever, and reports on how school clinics are now reducing cases in her region.
Source: Stuff
Adeaze talk about rheumatic fever
A video featuring brothers Nainz Tupa'i and Viiz Tupa'i, also known as New Zealand band Adeaze. They remember what happened when their cousin got rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
Tila's story about rheumatic fever
A video featuring Tila Maresala-Thompson who is a whānau support worker and survivor of rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
Clinicians talk about rheumatic fever
A video featuring Dr Lance O'Sullivan who is a Kaitaia GP and Dr Teuila Percival who is a consultant paediatrician at Kidz First Children's Hospital. Together they tell us about the impact that rheumatic fever can have on a child's life and that of their family.
Source: Ministry of Health
Rheumatic fever - sore throat checks
Practice nurse Juanita To'o tells us what happens when you take a child to the sore throat clinic, and why it's important to take the full course of any antibiotics. A video produced as part of the 'Stop sore throats hurting hearts' programme - New Zealand’s cross government prevention programme to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
Stop Sore Throats Hurting Hearts
The story of the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme so far. 'Stop sore throats hurting hearts'. New Zealand's cross government prevention programme to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
More information on sore throats and rheumatic fever
Sore Throats In Children & Young People
