rheumatic fever
noun Pathology.
a serious disease, associated with streptococcal infections, usually affecting children, characterized by fever, swelling and pain in the joints, sore throat, and cardiac involvement.
Origin of rheumatic fever
First recorded in 1775–85
Words nearby rheumatic fever
rheum,
rheumatalgia,
rheumatic,
rheumatic arteritis,
rheumatic endocarditis,
rheumatic fever,
rheumatic heart disease,
rheumatic pneumonia,
rheumatics,
rheumatid,
rheumatism
British Dictionary definitions for rheumatic fever
rheumatic fever
noun
a disease characterized by sore throat, fever, inflammation, and pain in the joints
Medical definitions for rheumatic fever
rheumatic fever
n.
An acute inflammatory disease occurring during recovery from infection with group A streptococci, having an onset marked by fever and joint pain. It is associated with polyarthritis, Sydenham's chorea, and endocarditis, and is frequently followed by scarring of the heart valves.
Scientific definitions for rheumatic fever
rheumatic fever
[ rōō-măt′ĭk ]
An acute inflammatory disease resulting from infections that are caused by a certain strain of bacteria of the genus Streptococcus, such as strep throat, usually in the absence of antibiotic treatment. It is marked by fever and inflammation of the joints, nerves, and heart, where it can progress to scarring and permanent dysfunction of the valves.
Cultural definitions for rheumatic fever
rheumatic fever
[ (rooh-mat-ik) ]
An infectious disease occurring most often in children who have had a previous infection with a strain of streptococcus. Rheumatic fever, which is characterized by fever and joint pain, can cause permanent damage to the heart if left untreated. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are used in treating the disease.