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3099 Rheumatic fever

definition

Rheumatic fever (RF) is a multisystem inflammatory disease occurring as a post-infectious, nonsuppurative sequela of untreated streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus [GAS]) pharyngitis, and mainly occurs in individuals aged 5 to 15 years. The most common presenting signs are fever, migratory polyarthritis and carditis.