The term "rheumatic" refers to synovial joints of the body ("rheum" refers to viscous fluid, such as synovial fluid), hence "rheumatic fever" connotes an illness associated with abnormalities of synovial joints. Synovial is a clear fluid that helps in lubrication of a joint. Any joint in the body which produces this fluid is known as a synovial joint. When a common strain of bacteria known as "Strep," or Streptococcus pyogenes, living in your throat and nose for months without causing any harm becomes active, they produce an infection - sore throat initially and then certain disease conditions including the inflammation and swelling of joints. This is called as rheumatic fever.
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The Rheumatic Fever…begins with chilly fits; succeeded by increased heat; frequent pulse; thirst; loss of appetite; and prostration of strength. The symptom peculiar to this disease is an inflammation of the joints, which often increases to great violence, with swelling, soreness to the touch, and sometimes redness of the skin…. This is a very formidable and extremely painful disease, [and] generally continues for many weeks…. The consequences of this disorder are often painfully felt for many years.
- John Haygarth, 1805
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Children in the age group of children 5 to 15 years old are easy prey to this disease. Usually within 1 to 5 weeks of throat infection, the disease develops. Rheumatic fever is associated with the development of heart valve disease and other heart disorders .This illness can affect the normal lifestyle of the patient. The complication of the disease can be very grave.
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