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