Acute rhematic fever and rheumatic heart disease

In Australia, the Northern Territory (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 is spread

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 most 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:

• ARF and RHD
• the RHD program.

Contact

For more information about ARF, 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