Rheumatic fever
Untreated group A strep infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever, can result in rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever develops about 18 days after a bout of strep throat and causes joint pain and heart disease. It's important to get prompt testing and treatment for strep throat to prevent rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic fever affects primarily children between 6 to 15 years old. Symptoms include fever, joint pain or swelling, skin rash that may be ring-shaped or snake-like in appearance, skin nodules, muscular weakness and uncoordinated jerky movements, abdominal pain and nosebleeds.
Source: National Institutes of Health
