Diagnosis

There's no single test for rheumatic fever. Diagnosis of rheumatic fever is based on medical history, a physical exam and certain test results.

Tests

Tests for rheumatic fever include:

  • Blood tests. Blood tests can help check for signs of inflammation in the body. These tests include C-reactive protein, also called CRP, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, also called ESR or the sed rate.

    Sometimes the actual strep bacteria can no longer be found in the blood or in throat tissues. Another blood test can be done to look for proteins related to the strep bacteria. These proteins are called antibodies.

  • Electrocardiogram, also called ECG or EKG. This test shows how the heart is beating. It can help diagnose irregular heartbeats. A healthcare professional can check ECG signal patterns for signs of heart swelling.
  • Echocardiogram. This tests uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart in motion. An echocardiogram shows the structure of the heart and how blood flows through it.

Treatment

The goals of treatment for rheumatic fever are to:

  • Treat the infection.
  • Ease symptoms.
  • Control swelling, called inflammation.
  • Prevent the condition from coming back.

Lifestyle and home remedies

A healthcare professional might recommend bed rest for someone with rheumatic fever. There may be limits on activity until symptoms get better. Ask your healthcare professional if bed rest is right for you.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment for a health checkup if symptoms of rheumatic fever start. If there is heart damage, you may be sent to a doctor called a cardiologist who is trained in heart diseases.

Here's some information to help you get ready for the appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do to get ready. For example, you may not be able to eat or drink for a while before some blood tests. Make a list of:

  • The symptoms, including any that don't seem related to the reason for the appointment.
  • Important personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All medicines, vitamins or other supplements being taken. Include the doses.
  • Questions to ask the healthcare team.

For rheumatic fever, basic questions to ask the care team include:

  • What are the possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests are needed?
  • What treatment is needed?
  • What are the main treatment options that you're suggesting? Are there other options?
  • My child or I have other health conditions. How can we best manage them together?
  • Are there activity or diet restrictions?
  • Should we see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

The healthcare team is likely to ask questions, such as:

  • When did the symptoms begin?
  • What, if anything, seems to make the symptoms better?
  • What, if anything, appears to make the symptoms worse?
  • Do the symptoms happen all the time or do they come and go?
  • Has anyone in your family been sick with a cold or flu lately?
  • Is there a history of strep throat or scarlet fever?
  • If so, were all antibiotics taken as prescribed?
By Mayo Clinic Staff