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Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

In Australia, the NT has the highest rates of acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

ARF is an immune response to a group A streptococcus (GAS) bacterial infection.

GAS is also known as ‘strep throat’ and ‘skin sores’.

ARF may develop if a GAS bacterial infection is not treated with the:

  • right antibiotics or
  • the antibiotics are not taken as prescribed.

Read more about ARF on the healthdirect website.

How it spreads

ARF cannot be spread between people or make other people unwell.

However, a GAS bacterial infection that causes ARF can spread between people by:

  • talking
  • coughing
  • sneezing
  • kissing
  • skin contact
  • contact with contaminated items like clothes, bedding and towels.

Who is at risk

People who are most at risk of ARF include those who:

  • live in remote areas or communities with known high rates of ARF or RHD
  • have a personal or family history of ARF or RHD
  • experience crowded living conditions or inadequate health facilities
  • have low health literacy or socioeconomic disadvantage
  • are from developing countries with high rates of ARF or RHD
  • have frequent exposure to strep A infections.

In the NT, ARF has been most commonly reported in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are aged between 5 to 14 years.

Symptoms

Symptoms of ARF can start days or weeks after a GAS bacterial infection.

It can include:

  • sore or swollen joints in the legs, knees, ankles, elbows and wrists
  • painless lumps under the skin near the joints
  • tiredness
  • fevers
  • abnormal body movements or twitches
  • shortness of breath
  • weakness
  • chest pain
  • rapid heartbeat.

Treatment

Your healthcare provider will check for ARF.

ARF is treated with antibiotic injections every month for several years.

If not treated properly - rheumatic heart disease (RHD)

If ARF is not treated properly, it can cause permanent heart damage.

This condition is known as RHD. It is a serious condition and some people will need heart surgery.

Read more about RHD prevention and treatment on the healthdirect website.

Prevention

ARF can be prevented by stopping the spread of a GAS bacterial infection.

If the infection is treated, it prevents ARF which will also prevent RHD.

Information for health professionals

Go to the NT Health website to read more about:

Contact

For more information, contact the RHD Program in your area.

Top End
08 8922 8454
RHDDarwin.ths@nt.gov.au

Central Australia
08 8951 6909
RHDAliceSprings.ths@nt.gov.au