Difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease?

I think that rheumatic heart disease is complication of rheumatic fever, but not so much clear about these 2 terms.

If someone has rheumatic fever, and gets any heart valvular lesion so after 10-12 years he doesnt have fever but has heartvalvular problem so will this be called as the rheumatic heart disease,

and if some patient 20 yrs old presents withbreathlessness for 5-6 yrs, on echo there is MR,MS, so how we know it was due to rheumatic fever in his childhood? Help needed for these scenerios Thanks

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease which may develop after a Group A streptococcal infection (such as strep throat or scarlet fever) and can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain.

Rheumatic (roo-MAT'ik) heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves are damaged by rheumatic fever.

Check out the websites below for more detailed information, and for help with your scenarios. Source(s): http://www.americanheart.org
http://www.med.unc.edu/wms/firstaid2/ms2... -

A severe infectious disease occurring chiefly in children, characterized by fever and painful inflammation of the joints and frequently resulting in permanent damage to the valves of the heart.

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves (flap-like structures which prevent the blood from flowing backwards) are damaged by a disease process that begins with a throat infection caused by the streptococcal bacteria. If not treated this throat infection leads to rheumatic fever, repeated episodes of which may cause rheumatic heart disease.

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that affects the connective tissues of the body-especially those of the heart, the joints, the brain or the skin. When rheumatic fever permanently damages the heart, the condition is called rheumatic heart disease.

People of all ages can suffer from acute rheumatic fever, but it usually occurs in children five to fifteen years old.

Rheumatic fever:Can lead to heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease: Something like the narrowing of a valve. Just like a clogged artery. But they are the same thing.
Nurse Practition
rheumatic fever is a condition that can lead to rheumatic heart disease. Not all rheumatic fevers however lead to rheumatic heart disease
im an internist