Rheumatic Fever

Posted By Freehardt on March 06, 1999 at 21:02:36:







My question is in regard to Rheumatic Fever. My 13 year old daughter has experienced 3 episodes of strep throat in the last year. She had a rash which started on her leg which looked like a large ringworm becasue of the red borders. She experienced no itching, This rash began spreading to other portions of her leg and then to both legs. She tells me that she had the initial ringlike rash on her leg for two months. As the rash spread I considered that it was ringowrm and bought Lotrimin. I saw very little improvement and then three weeks later the rash started to clear. Does the erythema marginatum rash of Rheumatic fever clear? My daughter also complains of migratory joint pains but there are no nodules on any joints. The most disoconcerting occurence happened last night. My daughter was out of town on a church retreat and she told me last night she experienced an episode of chest pain which lasted about four minutes. I am concerened about Rheumatic fever. She went to see her pediatrician three weeks ago with the latest episode of strep throat and was treated for two weeks with Augmentin. But I am wondering if she could have had strep a few months ago undetected and that led to the rash, joint pains etc. What are the diagnostic criteria for Rheumatic fever? What should I ask the pediatricin to evaluate? I did express my concern about Rheumatic fever at our last office visit and he assured me that is was rare. Again, the rash and the clinical picture I am now seeing worry me.
Thank You for your time and expertise.
I will look for a response on the bulletin board or feel free to Email me.
Thank you again