What is the typical manifestation of rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is a serious inflammatory condition that can develop as a complication following streptococcal throat infection. One of the hallmark manifestations of rheumatic fever is rheumatic heart disease, which occurs when the immune response to the initial infection leads to inflammation of the heart tissue. This can result in long-term damage to the heart valves and myocardium, often culminating in valve stenosis or regurgitation, which may cause significant morbidity over time.

Rheumatic heart disease represents the chronic sequelae of rheumatic fever and is the primary concern in managing and preventing complications associated with the condition. The damage to heart valves can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular complications, underscoring the critical nature of this specific manifestation. While other symptoms may accompany rheumatic fever, such as arthritis, carditis, and skin manifestations including erythema marginatum, rheumatic heart disease is the most significant and lasting consequence of the condition.