What Is Rheumatic Fever?

What is rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is a sickness that happens in some people after they have a Streptococcal (strep) germ. This germ causes sore throats and skin sores. Sometimes, after causing a sore throat, the strep germ can cause the body's germ defence system (immune system) to start attacking your child's joints, heart, brain and skin - this is called rheumatic fever.

Healthcare professionals often call this ARF, which stands for acute rheumatic fever. When someone has ARF, this can cause fevers, pain, and swelling in the joints. Sometimes, it can hurt so much that it is difficult to move or walk. 

Your child's team of healthcare professionals will have done a number of tests to diagnose rheumatic fever. These include:

• blood tests
• swabbing your child's throat to see if they still have the strep germ
• a special heart scan called an echocardiogram to see if your child's heart has been damaged by ARF

Other parts of the journey

The rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease journey introduction

Taking care of my child's health after a diagnosis of rheumatic fever

What is rheumatic fever? (You are here)

A young person's rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease journey in pictures

What is rheumatic heart disease?

How will my child's rheumatic fever be managed?

What other ways can I look after my child's health after rheumatic fever?

When can my child return to doing the things they enjoy after rheumatic fever?

Will my child need regular medical check-ups after rheumatic fever?

Looking after my child's mouth and gums after rheumatic fever

Will rheumatic fever affect my child's ability to have children in the future?