Medical Emergencies · single question
What is TRUE about childhood rheumatic fever?
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Correct answer: D. Originates from an oropharyngeal Group A Strep infection
- A. ❌ Rheumatic fever is caused by Group A Streptococcus pyogenes — NOT Staphylococcus.
- B. ❌ Rheumatic fever is bacterial (Group A Strep), not viral.
- C. ❌ Rheumatic fever involves immune-mediated cross-reactivity, not direct surface antigen attack by the bacteria.
- D. ✅ Correct. Rheumatic fever develops as a post-infectious immune reaction to oropharyngeal infection (strep throat) with Group A Streptococcus. Immune cross-reactivity (molecular mimicry) damages cardiac and joint tissues.
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