Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient with a history of childhood rheumatic fever — what is TRUE about rheumatic fever?
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Correct answer: C. Caused by Staphylococcus species
- A. Incorrect. Rheumatic fever follows Group A Streptococcal (S. pyogenes) pharyngitis, not Staphylococcus.
- B. Incorrect. While strep pharyngitis triggers rheumatic fever, the defining clinical truth about the condition is its cardiac and joint involvement.
- C. Correct. Acute rheumatic fever causes carditis (mitral valve damage), migratory polyarthritis, Sydenham's chorea, and skin manifestations. Heart and joint involvement are the hallmark features.
- D. Incorrect. Prophylaxis is only for those with confirmed rheumatic heart disease (documented valve damage), not all patients with a history of rheumatic fever.
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