Rheumatic Fever

Symptoms

The symptoms of rheumatic fever usually appear one to five weeks after a child has been infected with streptococcus. Rheumatic fever may develop slowly, starting with a mild infection of the heart. However, each child's symptoms can differ.

Common symptoms include:

• Inflammation, including swelling, tenderness, and redness in multiple joints, usually the larger joints. The inflammation "moves" from one joint to another over several days.
• Small nodules or hard, round bumps under the skin
• Unusual, jerky movements
• Rash — a pink rash with odd edges, usually on the trunk or arms and legs
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Stomach pains
• Nosebleed