Latest news with #RheumaticFever
Mail & Guardian
29-07-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa highlights Rheumatic Fever Prevention
Rheumatic Fever Week (RFW) is an annual campaign held in the first week of August to raise awareness about Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF). Left untreated this condition can progress into Rheumatic Heart Disease and can also result in death. ARF became a notifiable condition in South Africa in 1989—a condition that must be reported to the National Department of Health upon diagnosis—leading to the establishment of National Rheumatic Fever Week. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) aims to highlight the dangers of ARF episodes and the association with RHD. The Foundation's mission is to reduce the burden of cardiac conditions in South Africa, with RHD being one of the main conditions in underserved communities. Prof Pamela Naidoo, CEO of the HSFSA makes the point that RHD is eradicated in richer countries while the burden still remains a problem in low-and-middle-income countries. SA is a middle-income country with high levels of inequality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rheumatic fever is an illness where the body's immune system overreacts to a throat or skin infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep). This autoimmune inflammatory response can affect multiple organs including the heart, joints, and sometimes the skin and brain. This presentation is often seen between 10 to 21 days after the initial throat infection. RHD develops when multiple episodes of ARF occur, causing damage and scarring to heart valves and heart muscle. According to the WHO (2023) technical brief on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, RHD affected an estimated 55 million people globally and caused 360,000 deaths in 2021. The WHO noted that the first episode of ARF is most commonly observed in children aged 5 to 14 years, followed by recurring infections within one year of the initial episode. These recurrences can persist throughout a person's life. The WHO also states that RHD typically begins in childhood, with the highest prevalence found in young adults aged 20 to 39 years. The report further highlighted that, internationally, women have a higher prevalence of RHD. In the most recent National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) GERMS-SA quarterly surveillance report (2025), an average of 824 cases of Group A Streptococcus infections were identified per year from 2021 to 2024 in South Africa. This figure may not accurately reflect the current situation in South Africa, as numerous cases remain undetected, undiagnosed, and uninvestigated. The RFW campaign aims to teach people about the dangers of ignoring or not treating throat infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. A study by Machipisa et al. (2021), published in JAMA Cardiology and focused on African countries, found that Black African people may be more likely to develop rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) after being exposed to Group A Streptococcus—especially if there is a family history of the disease. This implies that extra care should be taken for individuals with a family history of RF and RHD. It's important to take steps to prevent disease, and even a simple sore throat should be treated right away. When rheumatic fever is diagnosed early, treatment can stop it from worsening. Doctors can give antibiotics to treat the infection and medicine to reduce pain and swelling. Regular check-ups and penicillin injections help prevent more attacks and protect the heart. Recent research published in the Egyptian Heart Journal by Rifaie et al. (2020) on RF and RHD has shown promising results in identifying and treating these conditions. The inflammatory response, triggered by the Group A Streptococcus infection, may be chronic, meaning that the inflammation caused by the initial infection could persist for months after the infection is believed to have cleared. This suggests that the damage may continue if not treated appropriately. The authors emphasize that treating the inflammation is just as important as treating the bacteria causing the infection. This highlights why early check-ups and proper treatment are important, instead of trying to treat a sore throat on your own. Prevention strategies are essential to reduce the return and spread of the infection. These include better hygiene, staying isolated when sick, improving living conditions, and increasing access to primary healthcare. Because RF can cause RHD through repeated episodes, ongoing community prevention is strongly advised. RHD is a serious heart condition that can lead to death or lifelong disability. It requires lifelong medication, regular medical check-ups, and often heart valve surgery. RHD often damages the heart valves and surgical intervention is the primary treatment for replacing or repairing the damaged valve(s). Evidence from tertiary centers in South Africa, such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, suggests that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for patients with RHD. However, in some low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), heart surgery facilities are often scarce, and long waiting periods can limit access to life-saving interventions, such as heart valve surgery. Necessary steps to improve specialized services at healthcare facilities to improve health outcomes for individuals living with RHD who require heart surgery. If the disease has become severe, the individual may also need to be treated for heart failure or an irregular heart rhythm. RHD can be prevented if ARF is treated promptly with the correct antibiotics, regular check-ups and prevention strategies are in place. RHD remains a disease of poverty, disproportionately affecting LMICs and marginalized populations in high-income countries. Effective prevention and management of RHD require addressing the root causes of poverty, such as overcrowding, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and healthcare disparities. Ensuring adequate living conditions, equitable access to quality healthcare services, and implementing comprehensive prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment programs are essential to reducing the burden of RHD in vulnerable populations. HSFSA leads the campaign annually, disseminating information and raising awareness about the relationship between RF and RHD. The Foundation encourages parents and caregivers to be more vigilant and actively work toward reducing the burden of RHD. The Foundation, along with our continental colleagues in Africa, strive to see a world without RF and RHD. Let us work together to make this a more information visit the Foundation's website:
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Autymn Williams graduates as nurse, inspired by death of partner Jeremiah Glassie
'When I first started the nursing degree, I was determined to head to oncology, having first hand experience with Jeremiah's cancer in the final years of his life,' Williams told the Herald. 'But working now in children's community care is amazing and I love it. I know this is where I'm meant to be.' Studying through her grief Williams credits her faith for giving her the strength and motivation she needed to live her life alongside grief. Head of Nursing at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), associate professor Deborah Rowe (Ngāi Tahu) praised Williams for completing her degree following Glassie's death. 'Autymn was one of our top Bachelor of Nursing – Māori students. She was absolutely passionate about her studies, motivated, resilient and tackled every challenge that came her way," Rowe told the Herald. 'Autymn received a number of awards throughout her training,' she said. One award was for top student of the semester, and another award from Te Whatu Ora recognised her role as a health ambassador for the Counties-Manukau region. She also won the Pro Care Māori nursing award for 2024. Williams, 23, travels to schools to deliver immunisation programmes, treats students suffering from ailments like skin infections, provides treatment for Rheumatic Fever, and works alongside Well Child and some acute in-home nursing. 'It gives me so much job satisfaction,' Williams said. Young romance, alongside cancer Williams met Glassie in 2018 through a cousin who played in the same Cook Island band as Glassie, a drummer. She was 18 and in Year 12 at Tamaki College, while Glassie, two years older, was working for DHL at Auckland Airport. The two hit it off, but later that year Glassie was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 'He was 20 and I was 18 and still at high school,' Williams said. 'He was diagnosed in 2019 when I was Year 13.' Williams said Glassie was so positive about life, 'but it always made me cry thinking about his cancer. I was so in denial about him living and me having a future with Jeremiah Autymn Williams 'He was upbeat and positive ... I was so in denial about him living and me having a future with Jeremiah,' Williams said. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Marriage was not discussed or on the cards, she said. 'We were just focused on healing,' Williams said. After completing Year 13, Williams took a break to support Glassie through his cancer. She would go to his hospital chemo treatments and help out at home, she said. Discovering the magic of nursing Glassie spent 12 months in hospital and that exposed Williams to the unselfish role nurses play in the health system. 'I enrolled for the course while Jeremiah was alive and when he passed later that year, I knew I just had to go for it,' Williams said. Glassie died on December 17, 2020. 'Jeremiah was just the most positive person,' Williams said. 'He never complained. I am glad I took the two years out to be with him. 'I know he would be very proud that I have completed my degree and that I am getting on with life.' Williams said her parents' love and her twin sister's support got her through when Glassie died. 'I wasn't there when Jeremiah became unresponsive at his home and I cried and cried on my dad's shoulder. Jeremiah passed the next day and my family and faith helped me get through.' An indigenous approach to nursing Williams initially signed up for a mainstream nursing degree, then changed her mind and opted for the tikanga Māori course instead. 'I wanted to learn nursing from a Māori perspective,' Williams said. 'It was a very intimate course and the support from tutors and classmates was amazing. 'Mainstream [nurses] learn the philosophies of Florence Nightingale whereas the tikanga Māori [students] study Princess Te Puea. 'I shared my story with my classmates early in the course so everyone knew my circumstances. The tutors really push your 'why' and Jeremiah was my why.' MIT launched the Māori nurses qualification in 2020 - the year Williams applied - in order to attract more Māori to health careers. Te Tohu Paetahi Tikanga Rangatira aa-Tapuhi, Bachelor of Nursing Māori (TTPTRT) prepares nurses to deliver healthcare as registered nurses with a particular focus on indigenous tikanga, reo and kaupapa. Nurses who complete TTPTRT are employed in frontline nursing, research, administration, education, public health and mental health in hospitals and communities. 'The qualification is designed for those who are starting out on a journey in reo and self-identity, as well as others fluent in te reo and well-versed in tikanga,' Rowe said. Waikato waiata 'Timatangia Te Puea' provides the philosophy underpinning the programme. While every nursing degree carries the same clinical components, TTPTRT has an increased focus on tikanga practices. Rowe said this was an acknowledgement of Princess Te Puea Heerangi's commitment to advancing the health outcomes of the Waikato people, the delivery of care in a Māori environment and the ongoing importance of continuing her work. She said Williams' journey has been an inspiration for others. 'It's not surprising to hear of her 'why' in choosing to go into nursing. A number of tauira (students), whether Māori or non-Māori, we have, are inspired to give back to the community either because of the experiences they have had with whānau or extended whānau. 'In understanding tikanga, they can approach a patient in a different way. They can use those cultural competencies and values to engage a patient in their care. We saw during COVID the part different approaches played when Māori and Pasifika interacted with their own people to build trust.' 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