Rheumatic fever is a disease caused by a group of bacteria known as Group A streptococcus. Rheumatic fever begins with a strep throat (also called strep pharyngitis). Rheumatic fever tends to strike most often in cool, damp weather during the winter and early spring.

Rheumatic fever affects the joints, skin, heart, blood vessels, and brain. Rheumatic fever is most common in 5- to 15-year-old children, though it can develop in younger children and adults. Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart that may result in serious harm to the heart valves and heart failure. Treatments can reduce tissue damage from inflammation, lessen pain and prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever.

Causes of Rheumatic fever are following:

• Rheumatic fever is caused by an inflammatory reaction to certain Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity and can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain.
• Rheumatic fever causes due to untreated strep infection. Strep throat is caused by a group A streptococcal infection found in the throat. Strep throat infections themselves occur most often in people who already have a viral infection like a cold or the flu. Children are far more likely to get strep throat than adults.
• Rheumatic fever is caused by a combination of bacterial infection and immune system overreaction. The body produces antibodies to fight the bacteria, but instead the antibodies attack a different target, they attack body’s own tissues.