References:
- Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network: Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, 2013 eBook Edition, ISBN 978-1-61755-582-4, by Stephen Berger. Accessed here.
| Agent | BACTERIUM. Streptococcus pyogenes A facultative gram-positive coccus |
| Reservoir | Human |
| Vector | None |
| Vehicle | Droplet |
| Incubation Period | 1 to 5 weeks |
| Diagnostic Tests | Clinical diagnosis |
| Typical Adult Therapy | Supportive; salicylates |
| Typical Pediatric Therapy | As for adult |
| Clinical Hints | Migratory arthritis, fever, carditis, chorea, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum and leukocytosis; follows overt pharyngitis after 1 to 5 weeks in most cases; acute attack persists for approximately 3 months. |
| Synonyms | Febbre reumatica |
CDC Case Definition for Surveillance
A case requires evidence for preceding group A streptococcal infection (culture, serology) in addition to two major clinical criteria; or one major and two minor criteria, as follows:
- Major clinical criteria:
- Carditis
- Polyarthritis
- Chorea
- Subcutaneous nodules
- Erythema marginatum
- Minor criteria:
- Previous rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease
- Arthralgia
- Fever
- Elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Positive C-reactive protein
- Leukocytosis
- Prolongation of the PR interval on electrocardiogram.