Patient's question:
I am 53 years old. Recently, as I have gotten older, I have been experiencing leg pain. I have previously visited the immunology department, but the effect was not significant. I have taken both Chinese and Western medicine, especially when the weather changes, I feel uncomfortable. What are the ways to diagnose rheumatic fever?Doctor's answer:
Patients with rheumatic fever primarily exhibit cardiac inflammation, arthritis, chorea, and erythema marginatum, while secondary manifestations mainly include joint pain and fever. Inflammatory markers may decrease, primarily including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities may occur, or a preceding infection may recur. It is possible to have two primary manifestations or one primary manifestation along with two secondary manifestations, especially in the presence of a preceding infection.