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Rheumatic Fever • is a serious illness caused by a sore throat (strep

throat)

• is an inflammatory disease that causes the brain and joints to become inflamed and swollen

• can make children very sick and cause heart damage

• may mean a lifetime of feeling breathless and tired

• can be easily prevented by making sure every sore throat gets checked and treated straight away

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• New Zealand still has high rates of rheumatic fever

• In [name of region] [X] cases [relevant local info]

Rheumatic Fever

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Who is most at-risk?• Māori and Pacific families

• Aged 4 - 19

• Families who have had rheumatic fever

• Families who live in houses with lots of people

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How does rheumatic fever affect the body?

Acute rheumatic feveraffects 3 organ systems

Brain

Heart

Joints (arthritis)

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Symptoms of rheumatic fever • Sore and swollen joints (knees, elbows, ankles and

wrists)• An on-going fever that lasts a few days• They may also have stomach pains, extreme tiredness

and unusual rash on their body

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What can I do?• If your child has a sore throat, get it

checked by a doctor or nurse straightaway

• Some schools do throat checks– ask your school

• Ask your children to tell you whenthey have a sore throat so you canget it checked

• Look for the signs of a sore throat – your child may have difficulty swallowing, eating or drinking

• If your child has a strep throat make sure your child finishes all of the 10-day course of antibiotics8

Treating Strep Throat

A quick throat swab

Child needs to take the full 10-daycourse of antibiotics

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How to protect my family• Good hand washing and drying• Covering mouths when coughing and

sneezing• Tell your doctor or nurse if other people in

your house have a sore throat • Get every sore throat checked straight

away – don’t wait, rheumatic fever can be prevented if caught early

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Resources for families• Wallet card• Family guide booklet• Visual aid – shows the

steps of rheumatic fever• Inserts for newsletters

Download fromhpa.org.nz/rheumatic fever

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More information

• Ask your doctor or nurse for more information about sore throats and rheumatic fever

• Visit hpa.org.nz/rheumatic fever

• Call Healthline 0800 611 116

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