Which symptom is associated with rheumatic fever caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci?

Which symptom is associated with rheumatic fever caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci?

• A. Endocarditis
• B. Pericarditis
• C. Fever
• D. Arthritis

Answer: (C)

Rheumatic fever after a group A streptococcal throat infection drives a systemic inflammatory response. That inflammation commonly raises body temperature, so fever is a frequent and recognizable sign of the illness. While arthritis is a key and more specific feature of rheumatic fever, fever reliably reflects the generalized inflammatory process that follows the streptococcal infection. Endocarditis or pericarditis can occur as part of the cardiac involvement in rheumatic fever, but fever is the most common accompanying symptom of the inflammatory cascade.

Rheumatic fever after a group A streptococcal throat infection drives a systemic inflammatory response. That inflammation commonly raises body temperature, so fever is a frequent and recognizable sign of the illness. While arthritis is a key and more specific feature of rheumatic fever, fever reliably reflects the generalized inflammatory process that follows the streptococcal infection. Endocarditis or pericarditis can occur as part of the cardiac involvement in rheumatic fever, but fever is the most common accompanying symptom of the inflammatory cascade.