Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may develop as a consequence of infection with group A streptococcus. Rheumatic fever is a complication of untreated strep throat. Rheumatic fever affects the joints, skin, heart, blood vessels, and brain.

Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart that may result in serious harm to the heart valves and heart failure. Rheumatic fever can occur at any age but primarily affects children from 5 years old to 15 years old. It can also develop in younger children and adults. Recurring episodes of rheumatic fever most often affect people when they are about 25 to 35 years of age. Rheumatic fever tends to strike most often in cool, damp weather during the winter and early spring.

The main symptoms of rheumatic fever are muscle aches, swollen and painful joints, and in some cases, a red, lattice-like rash appear which typically begin one to six weeks after a bout of strep Over a period of months or even years, if the disease strikes again, then this damage to the heart can lead to a serious condition known as rheumatic heart disease(Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves are damaged by rheumatic fever) which can eventually cause the heart to fail. Treatments can reduce tissue damage from inflammation, lessen pain and other symptoms, and prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever.