Differences Between Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

RHD vs. RF: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment Compared

Have you ever wondered what rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are? Although both share the same name, they are different from each other. While rheumatic fever is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that develops as a delayed immune response following a Group A Streptococcus throat infection, rheumatic heart disease affects heart valves. Having an idea about how it differentiates helps you appropriately choose the course of treatment. 

How to Tell Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Apart? 

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the table below: 

Difference in Diagnosis: RF vs RHD 

Since both conditions exhibit different symptoms, doctors use different methods to diagnose the two. Although some tests may overlap, let us discuss the differences between their diagnoses below: 

Diagnosing Rheumatic Fever 

The first line of diagnosis involves the doctor swabbing your mouth to test for group A Streptococcus bacterium. A clinician may perform a rapid antigen detection test (RADT); while results are quick, false negatives can occur, especially in children. However, the chances of false positive results are also there. 

Other tests to determine whether someone has RF are: 

• Heart Test: Since RF can lead to rheumatic heart disease, healthcare providers often check whether your heart is functioning through these tests. It includes taking an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). 
• Blood Test: These tests detect antibodies (such as ASO or anti-DNase B) that indicate a recent streptococcal infection. It can also show proteins that indicate its presence in your body. 
    

Diagnosing Rheumatic Heart Disease 

Initially, your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. Following this, they will examine your symptoms and order several diagnostic tests to confirm them. Some tests include: 

• Electrocardiogram (EKG): This test detects any abnormalities in your heart's electrical activity. It can also detect any rhythm problems in your heart. 
• Blood Test: It can detect whether you have a high immune response or any inflammation. 
• Echocardiogram: Since it affects the valves, this test can check for leaky blood vessels or narrowed valves. 
• Chest X-ray: They can show secondary findings such as cardiomegaly or pulmonary congestion in advanced disease. 
    

Treatment Options: RF vs RHD 

Rheumatic fever can be treated with the following: 

• Anti-Inflammatory Medicine: These can reduce the inflammation throughout your body. It also relieves symptoms such as joint pain. 
• Antibiotics: These treat the bacterial infection causing rheumatic fever. You can either take injections or consume pills for a prescribed time. 
• Other Therapies: Doctors may recommend other therapies to relieve symptoms. 
    

On the other hand, rheumatic heart disease is treated by: 

• Minimally Invasive Surgeries: Since it affects your mitral valve, this procedure can widen the valve. It is known as valvuloplasty. 
• Blood Thinners: Also known as anticoagulants, these help to reduce the risk of stroke or blood clots. 
• Surgery: Heart valve surgery and Ross surgery are some of the most common procedures to treat severe rheumatic disease. 
    

Understanding the key differences between rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease is essential for early diagnosis and effective treatment. While RF is an acute infection, RHD is a chronic condition, often resulting from untreated or repeated RF episodes. 

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