children s health issues
Rheumatic Fever
Prognosis for Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever and some of the problems it causes, such as inflammation of the heart and Sydenham chorea, can return. Episodes of Sydenham chorea usually last several months and resolve completely in most people, but the disorder returns in about one third of people. Joint problems (such as pain and swelling) are not permanent, but the heart inflammation can be permanent and severe, especially if streptococcal infections return and are not treated. Heart murmurs caused by rheumatic fever eventually disappear in some people, but most people have permanent murmurs and some degree of heart valve damage. 