May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Arthritis Post Strep Reactive Arthritis or Rheumatic Fever
Post Strep Reactive Arthritis or Rheumatic Fever |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I am battling post-strep reactive arthritis. I have finished my course of antibiotics and steroids and am now waiting for a referral to a neurologist because of the pain, tingling, and numbness in my hands. My question is this: neither Doctor I have seen made one mention about checking my heart. Not even one little listen. I thought that post-strep reactive arthritis and Rheumatic Fever share many of the same symptoms and I would think they should have checked my heart. Your thoughts? Dear Kerrie: Although reactive arthritis may simulate the arthritis associated with rheumatic fever, it occurs early during infection (with no other signs of RF present), unlike rheumatic fever that usually follows untreated or improperly treated streptococcal throat infection. Also the involvement of the hand joints is more common with reactive arthritis, as opposed to RF in which the joint inflammation or arthritis jumps from one joint to the other usually involving knees, ankles, elbows or shoulders. Thus, your doctor may have clinically diagnosed the exact cause, not requiring further investigations for confirmation.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 June 2011 ) |
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