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Acute rheumatic fever is an immune mediated complication that can occur after group A streptococcal pharyngitis.
Acute rheumatic fever is an immune-mediated complication that can occur after group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Joint and neurologic manifestations may be dramatic, but carditis is the major long-term threat because repeated inflammation can permanently damage the heart valves; treatment therefore focuses on eradicating streptococcal infection, controlling inflammation, recognizing cardiac involvement, and preventing recurrence.