NBCSN Nationally Certified School Nurse Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The common symptoms of rheumatic fever that can occur following strep throat primarily include joint pain, often accompanied by redness and swelling in the affected areas. This inflammation is typically more pronounced in larger joints such as the knees, elbows, and ankles. The condition arises as an autoimmune response triggered by the body's reaction to the streptococcal infection.

The inflammation of the joints is a key indicator of rheumatic fever and helps in diagnosing the condition. Recognizing these symptoms is critical for prompt treatment to prevent further complications, such as damage to the heart valves, which is a serious consequence of rheumatic fever.

While fever and fatigue do characterize rheumatic fever, they are more general symptoms and do not specifically point to the disease as distinctly as joint pain with redness and swelling does. Skin rash, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath can be associated with various other ailments but are not primary symptoms of rheumatic fever following strep throat.