NSW Health has developed a video to help primary health care teams recognise and manage acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). ARF/RHD predominantly affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At-risk individuals can develop ARF/RHD following Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection e.g. tonsillitis or impetigo.
ARF and invasive GAS notifications have increased in NSW, particularly among children. Consider ARF as a possible diagnosis when young people present with suggestive signs and symptoms, such as: fever, joint pain, chest discomfort or chorea (rapid, jerky involuntary body movements). Further investigations, including inflammatory markers are recommended to establish a diagnosis.
In addition, both ARF and RHD are notifiable in NSW (with RHD notifiable only if the person is aged less than 35 years).
ARF and RHD can be prevented. For at-risk patients, treat tonsillitis and impetigo with antibiotics for GAS. Let’s work together to prevent ARF and RHD in NSW.
