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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that may increase the risk of rheumatic fever include:
- Family history. Some people may carry a gene or genes that make them more likely to develop rheumatic fever.
- Type of strep bacteria. Certain strains of strep bacteria are more likely to contribute to rheumatic fever than are other strains.
- Environmental factors. A greater risk of rheumatic fever is associated with overcrowding, poor sanitation and other conditions that may easily result in the rapid transmission or multiple exposures to strep bacteria.
References
- Rheumatic fever. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec19/ch281/ch281a.html. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.
- Carapetis JR, et al. Acute rheumatic fever. Lancet. 2005;366:155-168.
- Gibofsky A, et al. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Gibofsky A, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Hahn RG, et al. Evaluation of poststreptococcal illness. American Family Physician. 2005;71:1949-1954.
- Strep throat: Symptoms. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/strepThroat/symptoms.htm. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Parenting corner Q&A: Sore throat. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BK0_SoreThroat.htm. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- When your infant or child has a fever. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/common/common/069.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Gerber M. Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus). In: Long S, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/113823919-10/783584111/1679/122.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50121-1--cesec21_2521. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Weinberg G. Rheumatic fever. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch272/ch272h.html. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.
- Gibofsky A, et al. Treatment and prevention of acute rheumatic fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
