Rheumatic Fever - Prevention

Rheumatic fever can be prevented with early and proper diagnosis of streptococcal infections of the throat and ears. If antibiotics are given within ten days, the risk of the infection's developing into rheumatic fever is very low.

People who have had rheumatic fever are at risk for contracting the disease again. To prevent the condition from returning, a patient may have to stay on antibiotics for a long time—perhaps for life. People who already have heart damage resulting from RF can prevent further complications. The usual procedure is for the patient to take antibiotics any time he or she might be exposed to the streptococcal bacterium.