What is the primary cause of rheumatic fever?

Prepare for the Hurst Readiness Exam 2 with engaging quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Master your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What is the primary cause of rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is driven by an immune reaction that follows a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal throat infection. When strep throat isn’t treated or isn’t treated effectively, the immune system makes antibodies against the bacteria. Some of these antibodies cross-react with human tissues—especially in the heart, joints, brain, and skin—leading to inflammation weeks after the original infection. That’s why the primary cause is an untreated GAS infection. Viral illnesses, allergic reactions, or chronic lung disease don’t initiate this autoimmune process. Prompt treatment of strep throat with appropriate antibiotics helps prevent rheumatic fever from developing.

Rheumatic fever is driven by an immune reaction that follows a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal throat infection. When strep throat isn’t treated or isn’t treated effectively, the immune system makes antibodies against the bacteria. Some of these antibodies cross-react with human tissues—especially in the heart, joints, brain, and skin—leading to inflammation weeks after the original infection. That’s why the primary cause is an untreated GAS infection. Viral illnesses, allergic reactions, or chronic lung disease don’t initiate this autoimmune process. Prompt treatment of strep throat with appropriate antibiotics helps prevent rheumatic fever from developing.

More practice questions