Frequent rheumatic fever in Mexico

• April 24, 2024

Are you one of those who suffer recurrent infections of throat accompanied by fever? Take your precautions: this may be the beginning of rheumatic fever, the second most frequent disease within heart conditions.

Specialists from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) point out that the tonsillitis or pharyngitis occurring in childhood, which are not treated or have been poorly maintained, can be the trigger of a future rheumatic fever. Also, self-medication, the abandonment of treatment based on antibiotics and suffer, more than 6 times a year, respiratory infections are other risk factors for this disease that affects the heart and joints. Experts say that the majority of cases can be prevented if adequate and timely respiratory infections are increased, up to 40% during the winter season.

The fault lies with an aggressive bacterium

According to Dr. Elizabeth Hernández Alvidrez, head of the Pediatric Pneumology Service of the National Medical Center "La Raza" of the IMSS, the cause of rheumatic fever is a bacterium called beta-hemolytic streptococcus of the group "A". This aggressive microorganism is generally responsible for most throat infections in children older than 4 years. Since this bacterium is "disguised in the blood", it is capable of damaging the structures of the heart valves, although it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the joints, the central nervous system, the skin and blood vessels. By "mocking the immune system," it attaches to the membranes of tissues, affecting their structures.

Other complications

According to Dr. Hernández Alvidrez, there are other complications that can occur after a picture of tonsillitis or pharyngitis such as: sinusitis, otitis, abscesses in the wall of the pharynx, pneumonias and meningitis. Therefore, in the presence of any infectious respiratory tract with duration greater than 3 days, it is highly recommended to see the doctor; even more if these infections are recurrent, more than six a year at any age, and especially during childhood. After a series of studies, the specialist will determine the treatment. Do not take antibiotics on your own; avoid future complications.