Rheumatic fever throughout the world
Although rheumatic fever is now rare in Canada, the United States, and western Europe, it was fairly common until approximately the 1950s. Widespread use of antibiotics to treat strep throat has significantly reduced the numbers of outbreaks.
The majority of reported rheumatic fever cases occur in developing countries, particularly Africa and southeast Asia.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: March 18, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
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