What is rheumatic heart disease and how do you get it?
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. The heart valve damage may start shortly after untreated or under-treated streptococcal infection such as strep throat or scarlet fever.
Who does rheumatic heart disease affect?
People who have had repeated strep infections are also at a higher risk of developing rheumatic heart disease. People of any age can experience a short bout of rheumatic fever, but it is most common between the ages of 5 and 15.
Is coffee bad for rheumatic heart disease?
Concerns about caffeine consumption in patients with heart failure are largely unfounded, based on a recent study that found no link between caffeine intake and increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
What happens if rheumatic heart disease is left untreated?
If left untreated, rheumatic heart disease can lead to heart valve damage, stroke, heart failure, and death. Treatment of advanced disease requires costly surgery unavailable in many parts of the world.
How does rheumatic heart disease affect the heart?
Rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease, can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart, joints, skin, or brain. The infection often causes heart damage, particularly scarring of the heart valves, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood.
Can rheumatic fever be cured?
The goals of treatment for rheumatic fever are to destroy remaining group A streptococcal bacteria, relieve symptoms, control inflammation and prevent the condition from returning. Treatments include: Antibiotics. Your child’s doctor will prescribe penicillin or another antibiotic to eliminate remaining strep bacteria.
What happens if you get rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart, including damaged heart valves and heart failure. Treatments can reduce damage from inflammation, lessen pain and other symptoms, and prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever.
How long can rheumatic fever last?
Symptoms usually pass within a few months but can last up to 2 years. They are not normally permanent. Other symptoms include a red, blotchy, skin rash, which appears in 1 in 10 cases. Less common are nosebleeds, abdominal pain, bumps and lumps, or nodules, under the skin, and a high fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
What happens if Antistreptolysin is high?
An elevated titer of antibody (positive ASO) or an ASO titer that is rising means that it is likely that the person tested has had a recent strep infection. ASO titers that are initially high and then decline suggest that an infection has occurred and may be resolving.
How do I lower my Aso level?
Corticosteroids and certain antibiotics may reduce ASO antibody levels. This may make it difficult for your doctor to confirm your diagnosis. Tell your doctor about all the medications you’re taking. Be sure to include both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
What is the treatment for Aso positive?
In most cases, penicillin is used to treat patients with increased levels of ASO titre.
What is ASO test in blood?
Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer is a blood test to measure antibodies against streptolysin O, a substance produced by group A streptococcus bacteria. Antibodies are proteins our bodies produce when they detect harmful substances, such as bacteria.
What is strep infection in blood?
Group A Streptococcus, also called group A strep, is a bacterium that can cause many different infections. These may cause sepsis. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body’s often deadly response to infection.
What is a normal ASO level?
Streptolysin O Titre
| Alternative name: | ASO, ASO Ab |
|---|---|
| Reference range: | <200IU/mL |
| Assay range Notes: | 200-400IU/mL High normal range Assay range 0-5000 IU/ml |
| Turnaround time: | 5 – 7 days |
| Analysing laboratory: | Immunology The James Cook University Hospital |