Table of contents:
Rheumatic fever is an inflammation that occurs as a complication of bacterial infection, especially streptococcal bacteria. Without proper treatment, rheumatic fever can even cause heart damage. So, what are the treatment options for this disease?
Rheumatic fever treatment options
This disease commonly affects children and adolescents. Usually, the treatment of rheumatic fever that is given will be different for each person, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Generally, drug administration is done to kill bacteria, relieve symptoms, treat inflammation, and prevent disease recurrence.
Several types of drugs are commonly given to treat rheumatic fever, including:
1. Antibiotics
Because this disease is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are often used as a treatment option for rheumatic fever.
Antibiotics used to treat rheumatic fever generally come from the penicillin class. The goal is to eradicate the remaining streptococcal bacteria in the body.
Patients need to take antibiotics for 5 to 10 years, depending on age and the presence or absence of heart problems. If there is inflammation of the heart, it takes longer to treat it.
The length of time given this drug is not without reason. This is done to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Residual bacteria in the body can cause the disease to recur and increase the risk of permanent heart damage.
2. Anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs as a treatment for rheumatism are given to treat fever, pain, and other acute symptoms.
The types of drugs used are commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen and aspirin.
Keep that in mind aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age except at the discretion of a doctor.
This medicine may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, which causes damage to the liver and brain.
If the patient's condition does not improve after being given aspirin or naproxen, this could indicate inflammation of the heart. The doctor will suggest stronger types of drugs such as corticosteroids.
Treatment of rheumatic fever with corticosteroids must be done wisely. Although quite effective, it is possible that symptoms of the disease will reappear once the patient stops taking the drug.
It also does not significantly reduce the risk of complications to the heart.
3. Anticonvulsant drugs
Apart from fever, swelling of the joints, and the appearance of a rash on the skin, sufferers of rheumatic fever usually also experience the so-called symptoms chorea .
This condition is characterized by uncontrolled movements of the face, shoulders, and limbs.
Anticonvulsant drug administration aims to restore nerve cell function to prevent seizures and uncontrolled movements.
Anticonvulsants used for the treatment of rheumatic fever include valproic acid , carbamazepine, haloperidol, and risperidone.
For the treatment of rheumatic fever to be successful, the doctor will also advise the patient to get plenty of rest during the onset of symptoms.
This is important so that the patient's body can quickly recover from acute symptoms and is slowly able to return to activities.
Along with treatment, patients with rheumatic fever also need to undergo routine heart examinations. Consult the results with your doctor to determine the risk of heart damage.
The reason is, heart damage from this disease may not cause symptoms for years.
