Rheumatic Heart Disease

Information

Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection

Acute Rheumatic Fever

Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection

Most symptoms go away with time - but damage to the heart may be permanent. The heart damage caused by is known as Rheumatic Heart Disease ( ).

RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

k To stop damaging the heart further, needs to be prevented.

k Having Bicillin medicine every 21-28 days kills so it can’t sneak back and cause

.

k If you have it is important to NEVER miss a needle /Bicillin.

If you or your kids are really sick with a sore throat or skin sores - get it checked by a health worker or doctor quick!

WAYS TO HELP PREVENT , & :

Wash face and hands regularly.

Brush your teeth every day.

Keep body clean.Eat healthy food.

See a health worker or doctor for sore throats and skin sores.

Keep living space and community clean.

© K

imberley A

boriginal Medical Services (K

AM

S) 160111 Feb 20

15

For more information on Strep, RHD or ARF, talk to a health worker or doctor.

kam

sc.o

rg.a

u

k Strep germs cause infections.

k They are so tiny that you can’t see them.

k ANYONE can get infections.

k People aged 5–15 yrs get them more.

GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL (GAS) infection

skin sores(anywhere on the body)

fever

YOU DON’T NEED ALL OF THESE SIGNS TO HAVE !

sore throat (red inside throat

with white patches)

swollen/tender lymph nodes in neck

SIGNS OF INFECTION CAN BE:

chills

k can aff ect the heart, joints, skin and brain.

ACUTE RHEUMATIC FEVERthe Heart

Welcome to

GOOD GERM

GERM ZAPP 3000

GERM ZAPP 3000

GOOD GERM

GERM ZAPP 3000

GOOD

GOOD GERM

GERM ZAPP 3000

GOOD GERM

Your body produces good germs (antibody) to attack the germs (antigen).

The germs confuse the good germs. The good germs then attack your heart valves, joints, skin and brain - thinking they are attacking .

HOW AFFECTS THE BODY:

1 2

fever

rash

pain and swelling in joints

If germs aren’t killed off early, more come.They can cause another illness called Acute Rheumatic Fever ( ).

SYMPTOMS MAY BE:

strange, jerky movements

If you see a doctor and get medicine in time, the germs die and you’ll get better.