Rheumatic Fever - Treatment

Rheumatic fever is usually treated with penicillin. The patient usually receives a single injection or a ten-day course of pills. Doctors often prescribe a regular dose of penicillin after the symptoms of RF disappear. This program helps prevent the return of RF. Other patients who continue to receive regular doses of penicillin are those individuals who may come into contact with the streptococcal bacterium. This group includes teachers and medical workers, as well as patients with known RF heart disease.

The symptoms of arthritis can be treated with aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). These same drugs can be used to treat mild cases of carditis. Aspirin should not be given to children with a fever because it may cause the serious illness Reye's syndrome (see Reye's syndrome entry). More severe cases of carditis are treated with steroid medications. Chorea is treated with a variety of sedatives and tranquilizers that help relax the patient.