Symptoms:
Pain, inflammation, and stiffness in a large joint, such as the knee. These initial symptoms are accompanied by pain.

The pain and swelling can travel from one joint to another. A skin rash may also appear.

Cause:
Rheumatic fever is a streptococcal disease (Streptococcus Group A), and occurs between the ages of 4 and 18. It tends to follow a bout with tonsillitis, scarlet fever, strep throat, or an ear infection; most often strep throat (see "Tonsillitis")

After the disease appears ended, it may recur again later.

Rheumatic fever affects one or several body organs or locations: joints (arthritis), brain (chorea), tissues (nodules), skin (erythema marginatum), or heart (carius). It may also result in residual heart disease, producing permanent damage to one or more heart valves. (See "Arthritis" and "Chorea.")

The residual heart valve damage is the most dangerous aspect of untreated rheumatic fever. Treatment early in the course of the disease will generally prevent the heart damage. But this treatment may require the help of a physician and a stay in the hospital. Here is supplementary information:

Treatment:
• Give a nourishing diet, restricting all salt. Put on a water and fresh fruit and vegetable juice diet. Eat no solid food until the fever subsides and joint pain is reduced. Then maintain a light diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit juices, etc.

• Avoid caffeine, fried foods, soft drinks, processed or refined foods, sugar, or salt.

• Bioflavonoids are especially valuable in preventing and treating rheumatic fever.

• Bed rest is very important.

• While in bed, massage and mild exercise is helpful. A planned exercise program should be undertaken later.

• Useful herbs include bayberry bark, goldenseal, yellow dock, pau d'arco, and burdock root. Echinacea and dandelion are also good.