What is a common initial treatment step for patients diagnosed with Rheumatic fever?

For patients diagnosed with rheumatic fever, strict bed rest is often considered a common initial treatment step. This recommendation is based on the need to minimize cardiac workload, especially if the patient has signs of carditis or significant illness. Bed rest helps reduce the heart's oxygen demand and allows for recovery, particularly in cases where there is evidence of heart involvement, such as myocarditis or pericarditis.

In addition to bed rest, other treatments will typically include antibiotics (usually penicillin) to eradicate any lingering streptococcal bacteria, as the underlying cause of rheumatic fever is a prior strep throat infection. While other treatments may also be part of the management plan, such as anti-inflammatory medications or supportive care, bed rest remains a foundational step in the early management of the disease.

Anticoagulation therapy is not routinely indicated in rheumatic fever unless there are specific complications like thromboembolic events. An electrocardiogram may be performed as part of the diagnostic process or to monitor cardiac involvement, but it is not a treatment intervention. Surgery is rarely necessary and would only be considered in very specific cases of severe valvular disease that develop as a complication of rheumatic fever. Therefore, strict bed rest is crucial for