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Show New Booklet on Adult Rheumatic Fever Now Available Repeat attacks of rheumatic fever, often considered primarily pri-marily a disease of childhood or adolescence, pose a serious life-long threat to susceptible adults, according to a new booklet now available at the Utah Heart Association, it was announced today by Dr. James F. Orme, president. Published by the American Heart Association, it is entitled "Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Rheum-atic Heart Disease in Adults". The booklet pointed out that the disease most often strikes first following a streptococcal infection (such as a "strep sore throat") suffered in childhood. The difference between rheumatic rheu-matic fever and most other childhood infections, however, is that one attack does not .confer immunity. Instead, it makes individuals more susceptible sus-ceptible to repeat attacks, each of which increases the risk of heart damage. Thus the ef-tfects ef-tfects of childhood rheumatic fever may last a lifetime. When rheumatic fever damages dam-ages the heart, one or several of the heart valves may be left roughened or deformed. Deformed Defor-med valves, unable to open and close properly, impede the normal nor-mal flow of blood through the heart. Because rheumatic fever has a tendency to recur, the booklet book-let explains, it is important to protect adults and children against new strep infections which may trigger repeat bouts of rheumatic fever. "Usually, rheumatic fever can be prevented by medication which protects against strep infections," in-fections," the booklet emphasizes. empha-sizes. "Your doctor will tell you if he thinks this medication medica-tion is advisable for you." There are two accepted methods me-thods of preventing recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever, the booklet points out. Each is based on keeping enough medication med-ication in the blood stream to prevent strep infections from developing. One procedure is a monthly injection of long-lasting penicillin; peni-cillin; the other is a small daily dose of penicillin or a sulfa drug taken by mouth. "It is most important to take the pills or injections regular- ly," the booklet says, "because strep infections can occure at any time. Even mild infection can trigger rheumatic fever, and mild infections cannot always al-ways be recognized and treated promptly". Rheumatic heart disease patients pa-tients need special protection during certain types of dental work and various surgical procedures, pro-cedures, the booklet emphasizes. Bacteria, usually harmless to normal hearts, can enter the bloodstream and be carried to the heart during tooth extractions, extrac-tions, childbirth, when tonsils are removed and during other operations. These bacteria may cause grave trouble in hearts affected by rheumatic heart disease. On the hopeful side, the booklet points out that surgery on. heart valves is improving the outlook for many severely ill patients whose condition may not respond satisfactorily to treatment by medical means. Although not everyone with rheumatic heart disease needs surgery or would benefit from it, surgery has saved the lives of thousands of patients and enabled others to increase their activities. Adults who have rheumatic heart disease should see their doctors at regular intervals, the booklet stresses. Shortness of breath, excessive fatigue or swollen ankles are signs of posible heart strain that should be reported and that can be helped medically. On the other hand, the doctor may find the heart has improved so that certain restrictions on activities activi-ties may no longer be neces sary. Copies of "Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Adults" may be obtained from the Utah Heart Association, Associa-tion, DA2-5601, 250 East 1st South, Lalt Lake City. |
