title: Acute Rheumatic Fever: An Evidence-Based Approach To Diagnosis And Initial Management.
abstract: Acute rheumatic fever is an inflammatory reaction involving the joints, heart, and nervous system that occurs after a group A streptococcal infection. It typically presents as a febrile illness with clinical manifestations that could include arthritis, carditis, skin lesions, or abnormal movements. Of these, the cardiac manifestations of acute rheumatic fever are most concerning, as children may present in acute heart failure and may go on to develop valvular insufficiency or stenosis. Because this is a rare presentation to emergency departments in developed countries, it is crucial for clinicians to keep a broad differential when presented with clinical presentations suspicious for acute rheumatic fever. This issue focuses on the clinical evaluation and treatment of patients with acute rheumatic fever by offering a thorough review of the literature on diagnosis and recommendations on appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University, Division of Emergency Medicine, Stanford, CA.
authors.forename: Kajal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California; Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Deborah R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000175:diagnosis; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis; D001510:Bed Rest; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019091:Critical Pathways; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents