NUR 416 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Group A Streptococcal Infection, Heart Valve, Sequela
23 Apr 2020
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Document Summary
Acute rheumatic fever: the result of an abnormal immune response to a group a streptococci (gas) infection in a susceptible host. Have to have two factors together: usually pharyngitis, most often occurs in a late school age children & adolescents, self limited condition that occurs after untreated strep. So if it occurs it gets better. Involves inflammation of connective tissues: joints, skin, brain, heart, heart is big one to worry about. Damage to cardiac valves: occurs in rheumatic heart disease, most significant complication, occurs in more than half of cases, so tx all to prevent this sequela. Usually happens within 2-6 weeks following infection with gas. Prevention &/or tx of gas prevents acute rheumatic fever. 1: antibodies act against heart valves causing damage, so in repetitive gas infections, continuous damage occurring to valves. Dx based on set of diagnostic criteria: jones criteria, broken down into major & minor manifestations, have to have one major & one minor.
