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Medical Emergencies · single question

A patient with a prosthetic mitral valve placed 1 year ago had rheumatic fever in childhood. What could have triggered that rheumatic fever?

  1. A streptococcal (Group A) throat infection affecting cardiac lining and joints
  2. A Staphylococcal infection in the oropharynx
  3. Viral infection
  4. Autoimmune disease unrelated to infection
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. A streptococcal (Group A) throat infection affecting cardiac lining and joints

  • A. Correct (keyed). Rheumatic fever follows untreated Group A Streptococcus (S. pyogenes) pharyngitis; the post-streptococcal immune response attacks the heart (carditis/valve damage) and joints (migratory arthritis).
  • B. The organism is Streptococcus, NOT Staphylococcus — this option names the wrong bacterium.
  • C. Rheumatic fever is not triggered by a primary viral infection.
  • D. It is an immune-mediated sequela of a streptococcal INFECTION, not an autoimmune disease unrelated to infection.

Note: The original options were awkwardly worded; the clinically correct trigger is untreated Group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

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