Rheumatic Fever Panel

The panel is necessary to identify if a patient is suffering from rheumatic fever, a condition that usually follows a streptococcal throat infection and can lead to severe complications like heart disease if not treated promptly.

A blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm for the blood tests, and a swab is taken from the throat for the culture.

No special preparation is necessary for this test. However, it's important to inform your healthcare provider about any medications or supplements you are currently taking.

An elevated ASO level in your blood indicates a recent or past infection with group A Streptococcus, the bacteria responsible for conditions like strep throat and rheumatic fever.

Both ESR and CRP are markers of inflammation in the body. High levels of these markers may indicate ongoing inflammation, which could be due to rheumatic fever or other inflammatory conditions.

The test involves a routine blood draw and throat swab, which are generally safe procedures. However, some people may experience mild pain or bruising at the blood draw site.

The turnaround time for the results can vary, but generally, it takes between 2-5 days.

Yes, you can eat and drink normally before the test unless your healthcare provider instructs otherwise.

Rheumatic fever is usually treated with antibiotics to eliminate any remaining strep bacteria, along with anti-inflammatory treatments to reduce inflammation and pain. In some cases, long-term preventive treatment with antibiotics may be necessary to prevent recurrence.

The throat swab culture helps in identifying the presence of group A streptococcus bacteria in the throat, which is responsible for conditions like strep throat and can trigger rheumatic fever.

Yes, rheumatic fever can recur, especially if strep throat infections are not adequately treated. Recurrences can cause further damage to the heart.

If left untreated, rheumatic fever can lead to serious complications, including permanent damage to the heart (rheumatic heart disease), damage to other organs such as the brain and joints, and in severe cases, heart failure.

Rheumatic fever itself is not contagious, but the strep throat infection that often precedes it is contagious.

The best prevention for rheumatic fever is to treat strep throat or scarlet fever promptly with antibiotics to prevent the progression of the infection.

Individuals who have had a recent strep throat infection, especially children between the ages of 5 and 15, are at higher risk. Factors such as genetics, environmental conditions, and access to healthcare can also influence the risk.