rheumatic fever

noun

Pathology.

1. a serious disease, associated with streptococcal infections, usually affecting children, characterized by fever, swelling and pain in the joints, sore throat, and cardiac involvement.

rheumatic fever

noun

1. a disease characterized by sore throat, fever, inflammation, and pain in the joints

rheumatic fever

1. An acute inflammatory disease resulting from infections that are caused by a certain strain of bacteria of the genus Streptococcus, such as strep throat, usually in the absence of antibiotic treatment. It is marked by fever and inflammation of the joints, nerves, and heart, where it can progress to scarring and permanent dysfunction of the valves.

rheumatic fever

1. An infectious disease occurring most often in children who have had a previous infection with a strain of streptococcus. Rheumatic fever, which is characterized by fever and joint pain, can cause permanent damage to the heart if left untreated. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are used in treating the disease.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rheumatic fever¹

First recorded in 1775–85