Advanced Alternative Treatment for Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic Fever is an autoimmune disease that develops two to three weeks after a Group A streptococcal infection has subsided. Group A streptococcal infections include such maladies as scarlet fever, strep throat, pneumonia, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and toxic shock syndrome. Rheumatic Fever is believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity; this is when the antibodies—the body’s defensive cells against sickness—react with similar antigenic sites—the sites of foreign substances such as bacteria that cause one to be ill—on different proteins. This disease most commonly affects people ages five to fifteen years of age and though the outbreaks of Rheumatic Fever are rare in developed countries thanks to the use of antibiotics, there are still cases of it in the United States. 75% of the cases last as little as six weeks and less than 5% of the cases last up to six months.
Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever
The symptoms of Rheumatic Fever include a high fever, a rash on the torso and ankles, and the aching and swelling of joints. If the heart is affected by the infection, it may cause shortness of breath or pain in the chest until the inflammation settles. There is a chance of permanent damage done to the heart in the thickening or scarring of valve tissue.
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