Nurselife

      Rheumatic heart disease (RHD)   i s a   life-threatening heart condition   which results from damage to heart valves caused by one or several episodes of rheumatic fever, an autoimmune inflammatory reaction to infection with streptococcal bacteria (streptococcal pharyngitis or strep throat). The bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) can pass easily from person to person in the same way as other upper respiratory tract infections. These infections are most common in childhood.  In some cases, repeated strep infections can lead to rheumatic fever, which occurs when the immune system reacts against the tissues of the body, including inflaming and scarring the heart valves. Rheumatic heart disease is caused by damage to the heart valves and heart muscle from the inflammation and scarring caused by rheumatic fev er.   Reference https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/rheumatic-heart-disease/